Eleanor pine

March 2019

Since before she was born, Eleanor Ann Pine has very much been her own person.  Eleanor always strives to do her best work—she never settles for good enough and works hard to do things just the right way.  Eleanor genuinely cares about other people.  She loves to help—she’s always the first to get going on Saturday morning chores, often done with her own and ready to help everyone else.  She likes to make other people happy, and thinks about what she can do brighten everyone’s day. However, Eleanor isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and what she believes in.  Growing up the middle child, she’s learned to fight for her place and everything she deserves.  At home, she is a best friend to her little sister, and loves playing with her big brother.  Eleanor loves fishing, hiking, biking and being out doors, playing the piano and singing, and drawing.  

In January, Eleanor started complaining about stomach pains.  By March, she had become lethargic, pale, and sore all over.  After months of missed days of school, skipped recesses, doctor’s appointments and blood draws, one night she spiked a fever of 104 and we took her to the ER.  We knew her blood work had been off, but multiple tests and scans hadn’t been able to find a solid reason.  That night, the ER doctor sent her labs to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and they lifeflighted her to Portland.  Although they were fairly certain it was Leukemia, only a bone marrow test could determine for sure that it was and what strand.  On April 12, 2018, Eleanor was officially diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  

Eleanor was treated at Doernbecher for a month, then was able to come home and receive treatment in Medford, about 90 minutes from our home.  From May through November she had treatment there—lumbar punctures or chemotherapy almost weekly.  In December she hit maintenance and now receives treatment in Medford every four weeks, with chemo pills taken at home daily.  Her end of treatment date is June 18, 2020, and we are counting down the days! 

Through all of this, Eleanor has remained strong and upbeat.  She sometimes becomes discouraged about missed school and falling behind in math, having to take gross tasting medicines that sometimes make her feel yucky, and of course about losing her hair that she had grown out just the year of diagnosis.  But, she is grateful to know that the end is in sight and she will get through this a stronger and better person.