ELEANOR KEETON

#BEATCANCERELLIE

GOAL REACHED

Eleanor is a 2-year-old from Springfield, MO and we’re on a mission to raise $5,000 to send Eleonor and her family on a
dream trip to Disney World
where they can make amazing memories together
OUTSIDE of the hospital!

Ellie was a normal 2-year-old just learning to walk and talk before diagnosis. Her favorite animal and word was a cow. She loved all animals, especially ones she could hug and carry.

We received the news that Ellie’s tumor was cancer shortly after her surgery. She was sleeping the majority of the day and had a drain to relieve the excess CSF. We initially went to the hospital because Ellie presented with some facial palsy. After hours in the ER, we finally were able to get scans that showed a mass in Ellie’s brain. We had surgery to remove as much of the mass as possible a few days later. The mass was sent off for analysis and received the results while in the PICU. It was easily the worst day of our lives. Up until those results we still had hope the mass was benign. It was a heartbreaking moment. It changed our lives and set us on a long journey over the next few years.

Ellie was a normal functioning 2-year-old prior to surgery. She had a beautiful smile and a crazy head of hair. After surgery, she was weak and unable to do many of the things she was able to before including even holding her head up herself. She went from being able to function and grow her independence back to being a baby who needs everything. She went back to a rear-facing car seat and stroller. Was unable to speak except for basic words. Over the following months, she began to regain her ability to talk though she has a slur due to the facial palsy on the right side. She also had a severe cross-eye that required surgery to correct. She went through physical therapy to learn to walk again using walkers and eventually by herself. Ellie is very very intelligent and has had to learn to overcome her physical abilities and learn to do things all over again from holding a bottle to running and playing. This brought out the best in her brothers and truly showed their caring and nurturing side. They will do anything for their little sister.

Unfortunately, our time together as a family has greatly suffered due to Ellie's treatment. Ellie and her mom have spent a lot of time in Memphis at St Jude and even lived there for nearly 4 months. Easton and Lane have had to live with their grandmother the majority of the time to continue going to school. Dad has spent a lot of time at work trying to keep things running. Family time has gone from a regular occurrence to a rare treat.

The dream trip would mean time together and some stress-free time to just enjoy being together. Getting to go and do something out of the ordinary and try something new with the kids is a dream come true from a parent's point of view.

- Jessica Keaton