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Like most children, 13-month-old Elijah Weise was reaching the normal growing milestones every parent eagerly awaits to witness.
Erin Weise, Elijah’s mother, never thought, however, she would witness another bout of childhood cancer after her young daughter, Ella, was diagnosed. Ella fought and is now cancer-free, but the battle now lies with Erin’s beloved son.
During the middle of November, Elijah began having high fevers, leading to a doctor’s office visit. At first, doctors thought his condition was a typical infection and ended up giving him a few antibiotic shots. The treatment wasn’t working within the normal 24-hour span, however. From there, the level of concern grew for doctors and Weise.
On Friday, Nov. 21 at 3 p.m., doctors drew Elijah’s blood, notifying Weise they would keep her updated as the results came back. In less three hours, doctors called her to WCA Hospital where an ambulance waited for Elijah and her to take them to Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. Weise didn’t need a single doctor to tell her what was going on. She knew.
“I automatically knew it was cancer,” she said. “I knew the minute the doctor called about what it was because I had the same gut instinct with the fevers that Ella had.”
Doctors saw leukemic cells and leukemic blasts in Elijah’s blood along with a white blood cell count near 30,000. The normal count usually stands at 15,000, according to Weise. Elijah has been in the hospital since Nov. 22 where Weise and her fiancee, Joey, wait for genetic testing to come back. Test results will show the specific type of leukemia Elijah has. The testing process, which is going on at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, normally takes two to three weeks depending on the intensity of the testing needed.
Elijah recently started a regiment of chemotherapy where he’ll continue to receive treatment for 10 days – a harsh dose wiping out the immune system.
“He still has no immune system because the chemo is wiping out all of his white blood platelets,” she said.
Elijah was discharged on Dec. 23 following a bone marrow biopsy in time to celebrate Christmas at home with his family before he begins round two of his chemotherapy.
With all that’s taken place, Weise noted the outpouring of support from the community as amazing right from the start. Many supporters assisting the family are the same ones who supported Ella during her battle in 2007. On top of that, the Weise family received several chances over the past weeks to see a Sabres or Bills game for an evening. Weise mentioned that many people are also coming to Elijah’s room to volunteer their time staying with Elijah.
Scores of toys continue to pile up in his room as well – brightening the day for Elijah and his parents.
“He’s had packages upon packages of toys,” Weise said. “It’s been outstanding. I can’t believe it.”
Weise said the number of children diagnosed with cancer every year is growing. Childhood cancer is becoming a bigger issue as she looks to increase awareness. She knows there is no way in preventing cancer at this point in time, but she wants to bring it to the forefront and assist others in need of some guidance who are in the same situation Weise experienced.
“You don’t think it’s ever going to happen to you, or anybody that you know,” Weise said. “My heart is in children with cancer. I would like to help those families within the community out.”
Weise went on to say that in the beginning, the news is hard to swallow. It’s an instance where you don’t know what to do, taking some time to get things straightened out and figuring out how to deal with the situation.
“You’re at a loss for words and you’re not thinking about gas, money or anything else,” Weise said. “That’s the type of stuff at the beginning that is hard to deal with.”
Weise noted how well Elijah is doing as he continues treatment.
“He’s amazing, and he’s doing amazing,” Weise said. “He’s smiling and he’s having a good day, and I’m going to have a good day.”
To show a sign of a support or to purchase an “Elijah Strong” T-shirt to benefit his family with expenses search “Prayers For Elijah” on Facebook.