Azalea’s Story

“One second we were all living a normal life and within 24 hours she was receiving her first chemo meds.” In April, three year old Azalea came down with what appeared to be a viral infection. Things quickly took a turn when her bloodwork came back very abnormal. Within 24 hours Azalea (better known as Zellie) was diagnosed with High Risk B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and began chemo. Her mom, Courtney, described the initial diagnosis in the hospital like this - “…it’s like you’re watching a movie/show from the outside and think how you could never get through that as a parent and can’t relate at all, but then you actually have to.”

Azalea received three chemo treatments over the course of a week and a half and was then hit with a very intense intestinal infection. The family rushed back to the ER to find answers and at this point Azalea was in a lot of pain. This infection led to many x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, procedures, surgeries (some planned and some emergency) over the course of the past three months. Azalea has remained in the hospital this entire time. In mid-June she was tubeless for about three hours and was able to spend time outside for the first time in 60 days!

Over these past few months in the hospital, there have been many challenges for Zellie and the goal posts are continually moving. Zellie continues to struggle with vomiting and has not eaten since April 15th. The hope is to continue trying external feeding routes until she can tolerate food again. Doctors are working to get Azalea’s body to a place where it is able to handle the next round of chemo.

Throughout her entire journey, Zellie has shown so much strength and courage. Nurses and doctors have commented how they have never seen a three year old take the poking and prodding so well. While there have been numerous setbacks and challenges, the Marbury family continues to find joy in their days - like finding out they are adding a baby GIRL to their family in October! There is still a long road ahead but they continue to rely on their faith and the prayers of those around them to carry them through.