This is the story of the most courageous 2 year old little boy I will ever know. Little Eli Finefrock was admitted to Akron Children's Hospital on Tuesday, September 28th. Soon thereafter, he was diagnosed with T Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, an aggressive form of leukemia typically found in older children and adults. This diagnosis arrived the eve of the Finefrock family expecting their second child via C-Section, which was postponed to a later date after receiving this stunning news. We are all patiently, yet anxiously, awaiting the arrival of Eli's first sibling and baby sister!
Who would have ever thought? Just the day before, Eli was dancing in the living room, singing, jumping around, being a normal 2 year old boy, only showing signs of a common cold, with the exception of little red dots on his skin called petechiae which were initially discovered the day before his diagnosis (Monday, September 27th). Kristen immediately scheduled an appointment with Eli's primary care pediatrician, and at first sight, was told to get to the Emergency Room .
Upon diagnosis, Eli was moved immediately to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) due to his excessively high white blood cell count which was over 530k and included 89% blast cells (normal range is 5-10k with 0% blast cells) and other blood and electrolytes among unsafe levels, which makes standard oncology practices unsafe until levels are brought under control.
We have been bracing for the worst, and hoping for the best.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." -2 Corinthians 12:9
Please Lord, we need you.
Between the ER and PICU, Eli fought as his body endured 5 IV sites, 2 catheters, 1 femoral line, 1 spinal tap, and 1 PICC line. He received blood products in order to get his platelets and other blood counts up to safe levels so the doctors could proceed without the risk of bleeding. Once levels started to rise, a femoral line was used to perform 8 hours of Leukapheresis, or dialysis which removes blood from the body, filters out white blood cells and pumps the remaining cells back into body. This process was successful in reducing counts, but can never truly eliminate all of the bad cells. The goal is to reduce, not eliminate the cancer, in this process. Progress is progress though. Eli's white blood cell counts reduced from a high of 530k to 315k overnight, and his blood level was at a point where a spinal tap could be completed, powerful steroids could start, as well as the first round of chemo, all of which concludes the first 36 hours of Eli’s fight.
From there, the battle continued. Once chemo is administered, it eradicates all rapidly reproducing cells in the body (which is the reason hair loss occurs). While this process helps fight cancer, the collateral damage is the waste products excreted from the breakdown of the cancer cells which can cause organ damage if not closely monitored. This is called tumor lysis. Eli only had minor complications here, including an inflamed liver and spleen, but overall, no other damage has been observed to date. In addition, Eli's first spinal tap was on Wednesday, September 29th and on Thursday, September 30th, we received news that the result was negative, the cancer had not spread to the central nervous system, it was only localized to the blood/ bone marrow. Another spinal tap is pending this week to ensure this is still the case. Finally good news.
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted. Praise the LORD in song, for He has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth.” -Isaiah 12:4-5
Fast forward to October 3rd, we’re now through 4 of the 5 types of Round 1 chemotherapy treatment. Eli’s white blood cell count is now between 4-5k, chemo will likely take this to 0 in the coming days. The amazing team at Akron Children's Hospital continues to provide Eli with blood products like hemoglobin, cryoprecipitate, plasma, and platelets. Eli’s only major complication has been the development of steroid induced hyperglycemia which will require finger tests and insulin injections. The doctors believe once the steroids are done at the end of this phase, this side effect will subside.
Even though chemo will eliminate cancer in Eli's blood stream in the coming days, Eli’s battle will continue in phases. The first phase is called induction. It is 28 days of aggressive treatment to hopefully remove cancer cells from his blood and bone marrow. During the 28 day period, Eli’s immune system will be reduced to nothing, even catching something as small as a common cold could be life threatening. At the end of induction, Eli will have his bone marrow tested for MRD (Minimum Residual Disease) which will dictate the next several phases.
We have been told to expect at least 6-9 months of treatment, followed by years of maintenance in order to ensure the cancer does not return.
While the journey ahead will be long and challenging, Little Eli is as strong as they come and will persevere, along with his incredible parents, Chris and Kristen. Their faith keeps them strong. They all define what it means to be brave, heroic and resilient.
While life has changed forever for the Finefrock family, as long as there is life, we don't care about anything else.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
We will keep this page updated with journal entries as Eli’s battle continues. In the meantime, we welcome your prayers.
I’ve written this in my head many times over the last few weeks and sitting now to type it out, my mind is blank. Our lives have changed so much over the last few months and yet it also feels like we are at a standstill. I wish we could say that we are “doing well”, “hanging in there”, “moving forward” but honestly, that is just the lie we tell if we are asked on the street. The reality is that we are broken still. That our grief is still larger than we are. That the strength you might see in us is not our own but in Jesus Christ alone.
The outpouring of love from you all, and those you’ve shared our story with, has been overwhelming! I cannot put it fully into words and many of them will not do it justice. While we are still deep in our grief and the valley, we have yet to really feel called into action by God to use the funds that are growing in Eli’s Donor Advised Fund. However, we did not want to let the holiday season come and go without paying forward the support we experienced during our trials.
We will be making grants to the following charities who, among others, supported us greatly. If you are looking for an organization to support this season, I highly recommend looking more into these few below. If you are not in the position to give financially this year, consider donating blood or platelets. The need is always great and these products are so critical for the kids that are still fighting.
• ROC Solid Foundation – they supplied us with a backpack filled with items that helped make our first stay at Akron Children’s a little more comfortable. In addition, we were selected to receive a free play set for Eli to play on when he was home. It brought him a TON of joy, swinging and playing with Ava in the tower. Looking back, this was one of the single best things our precious son received. https://rocsolidfoundation.org/
• Wishes Can Happen – this local to Canton, Ohio organization offered us a wish grant for Eli when he was cleared by the doctors. While this was not to come to fruition, they still granted us funding to cover final expenses. Their heart and mission was felt deep by us and we are grateful for their support even though it wasn’t in the form we would have wanted…a trip or experience with our boy. https://wishescanhappen.org/
• Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati – without RMH, I do not know what we would have done while we were at Cincinnati Children’s in June-July this past year. From housing to two fresh meals a day, gifts for the kids, ice cream socials and a place to see family from a distance, they went above and beyond to support us during our time away from home. We were able to have Ava close while we continued to battle with Eli. https://www.rmhcincinnati.org/
• Project Outrun – a local Akron, Ohio organization that decked us all out with shoes! Eli loved his dinosaur tennis shoes that Chris designed. They have continued to reach out and offer us support and it is so appreciated! https://projectoutrun.org/
• Grace Church, Bath - our local church did what local churches do, supported us through messages, gifts, prayers and love. And like all great Christian communities, they continue to love Chris and I as we continue in our journey. https://bath.gracechurches.org/
We love you all and thank you for your support. We ask for continued prayers as we navigate the coming days… prayers of comfort, strength and peace.
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