Staff Report
Aleena Isham, 4, loves to dance, sing, shop and support the University of Texas Longhorns. According to her parents, Buda residents Angelina and Jeffery Isham – a former marine and now a Travis County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Aleena also loves to antagonize her 13-year-old brother. She’s a lot like most other children her age.
But unlike other four-year-olds, Aleena has cancer. Her parents are dedicated to helping her “fight like a girl” to beat the odds. They even created a Facebook page, called Aleena’s Journey to Fight Like a Girl, to track her progress and record her experience.
In January, Aleena was diagnosed with Astrocytoma, a brain cancer present in the cerebral and spinal hemispheres. Her mom, Angelina, said they started noticing symptoms in December.
“She complained of tummy aches and headaches. She fell down a few times at dance class and she was kind of dizzy,” she said. “We thought she was dehydrated.”
A trip to the emergency room turned into a CAT scan that revealed a golfball size tumor in Aleena’s brain.
“In January, doctors removed most of it,” Angelina said.
Typically slow growing, the tumor is aggressive in Aleena’s case. By April, symptoms returned. More brain scans showed the tumor had re-grown and spread to other parts of her brain.
Because of its position on her brain stem, Angelina said it affects Aleena’s hand and leg coordination, as well as causes fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, irritability, visual impairments, and the inability to gain appropriate weight.
The tumor’s position also makes it inoperable.
Aleena now faces at least one year of chemotherapy, which began in May, occupational therapy and physical therapy, and possibly future surgeries.
Her Facebook page documents the daily grind for this generally happy little girl who receives chemo several times a week.
Even with good medical insurance, the Ishams know this battle to save their daughter will cost money.
“We owe a little bit right now,” Angelina said. “But we maxed out on our insurance for physical and occupational therapy.”
With two appointments a week at $45 per visit, she knows that will add up.
Friends and family organized a fundraiser to help the couple pay for the doctor visits, chemotherapy, surgeries and more.
This Friday, the Ishams welcome the community to Aleena’s benefit, which takes place from 6-11:30 p.m. at Texas Old Town (Tejas Hall) in Kyle. Attendees will enjoy music, dancing and kids activities, plus dance and karaoke contests. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children; age three and under are free.
All proceeds from the event will help in Aleena’s battle with childhood cancer.
If you can’t make the event but still want to help, you can donate online at PayPal; search for Aleena’s Journey to Fight Like A Girl.
