Brianna Merritt

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Brianna is our spunky, energetic, smart, and beautiful little girl.  She just turned 9 years old in December.  She was diagnosed on November 11th 2016 with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.   Before diagnosis Brianna seemed like a perfectly healthy little girl who loves all sports, gymnastics, and karate!   We had no idea she was sick until she began to complain about her gums being sore.  When the dentist ruled out a gum infection, we tried to get answers from her pediatrician.  She started her on antibiotic and prescription mouthwash and set a follow up appointment for 4 days later (Nov. 11th).   When we returned for the follow up and there were no changes in her gums, blood work was ordered immediately.   We had the results back within an hour and they were not what we were hoping for.  The pediatrician immediately called Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and set up our visit.   We left that same evening for a 3 hour drive and arrived in the ER at around 9pm.   We were admitted to the childrens oncology floor late that evening and began planning her treatment the very next day.