Meet Valor – Leukemia Warrior
“There are many wonderful organizations that have assisted us! The National Children's Cancer Society is one of the organizations that gave us gas money for traveling to the hospital and clinic each week. All of these kind gifts are greatly appreciated and desperately needed for families that have to face a crisis like this.”
Lealah will always remember the day when her youngest daughter, Valor, was diagnosed with leukemia. As a mother of six children, Lealah knew something was wrong… but leukemia was the last thing on her mind. “At the time of (Valor’s) diagnosis, our family was getting ready to sell our farm and did full-time mission work overseas. Three days before our farm went live, we had to take Valor to (the children’s hospital) as she had a fever and her abdomen was swelling,” explained Lealah. The family stayed at the hospital for about a week after Valor’s diagnosis. They learned that life can change in an instant. Valor would require two and a half years of treatment.
Lealah said, “Truthfully, much of that week I can’t remember. They spoke a language we didn’t know or want to learn. The only thing that anchored us during that time and now is our belief in Jesus Christ and knowing our God is sovereign.” Valor also took comfort in her faith during her treatment. “During the hard times, Valor’s faith has really shone,” Lealah said. “Before every treatment, she asks us to pray with her, and when she threw up for weeks in the hospital, I cannot tell you how many times she requested prayer in a day. It’s because she believes prayer changes things! This suffering has shaped her heart, as well as ours, to have true compassion for those who are hurting.”
Valor’s diagnosis affected the entire family of eight. “My husband and I made a choice from the beginning that we both would be present for Valor,” said Lealah. “Our son, who (was) 19 years old, put everything on hold and held down the fort. For a season, he did our banking, grocery shopping, watched his siblings, and operated our farm. This required a lot from every member of our family.”
Through it all, the family remained positive. Lealah said, “We have had many ups and downs in this journey, a lot of hard, but we are choosing joy. Last October, Valor was in the hospital for a month fighting spinal meningitis, a bacterial infection, and a fungal infection in her lungs. Those were definitely dark days, and yet I found joy was still present with me. One of the gifts I have learned is in spite of my circumstances, I can have joy because truly that is my strength.”
Valor is also showing her positive attitude – and she’s certainly living up to her name with her courageous spirit! Lealah explained, “My husband and I always tell people Valor makes it so easy on us! She is fiercely independent and does not complain. She has the ability to see the glass half full versus half empty. For example, when we told her she was going to lose her hair, she didn’t bat an eye but told us she wanted a red wig and, ‘Can I get one on amazon now?’ What a relief! I dreaded telling her that because she had already endured nine months of treatment.”
As time has gone on, Valor has been able to embrace her favorite things once more. “Valor is the biggest dog lover there is. Before she was sick, she would spend hours a day with our German shepherds, but due to the risk of infection, we have had to limit exposure over the last nine months. Slowly, she is spending more time with them. Every day, we get to see more and more of how resilient Valor is and what a wonder she is to everyone who meets her,” said Lealah.
Lealah is grateful to have a community of helpers by her side during this experience. She said, “There are many wonderful organizations that have assisted us! The National Children’s Cancer Society is one of the organizations that gave us gas money for traveling to the hospital and clinic each week. All of these kind gifts are greatly appreciated and desperately needed for families that have to face a crisis like this.”
The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) is here for families who are living with childhood cancer. Valor’s family is being supported by the NCCS’s Transportation Assistance Fund and Emergency Assistance Fund, which has helped the family cover the cost of household bills and fuel to and from Valor’s treatment facilities. We will continue to support their needs… Because no family should go through childhood cancer alone.™
