Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
After battling what seemed like a prolonged case of the flu, Madison McIntyre’s symptoms refused to subside. She remained lethargic, feverish, and dehydrated. Her mother Michelle assumed Madison was simply taking longer to recover—but something didn’t feel right. Trusting her instincts, she took Madison to the Children’s of Alabama Emergency Department. Shortly after she arrived, doctors ran bloodwork. Hours later, the results came back, revealing something far more serious than a lingering flu—leukemia.
"Obviously, that isn’t what you expect to hear as a parent," Michelle recalled. "But the way the staff handled it gave me confidence. They had a plan, and that was comforting."
Madison was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and immediately admitted to the hospital, where she received a port for chemotherapy. A few weeks into treatment, she began experiencing severe stomach pain. At first, it seemed like a side effect of the chemotherapy, but the pain never let up. Further tests revealed internal bleeding, leading to an urgent exploratory surgery. Surgeons discovered a perforation in Madison’s colon—a rare but serious complication of the aggressive chemotherapy. After six hours in the operating room, they successfully repaired the damage, stopping the bleeding and preventing further harm.
"It was a huge setback, but through it all, she never complained," Michelle said.
After months of recovery, Madison resumed chemotherapy. Despite the challenges, she found moments of joy, forming close bonds with her nurses. They painted her fingernails and toenails, played games with her, and even let her assist with treatments to give her a sense of control. What could have been a terrifying experience for a 6-year-old became something far less daunting.
The compassionate care at Children’s of Alabama extended beyond Madison, with staff embracing her entire family. They patiently answered every question, guided them through unexpected complications, and adapted treatment plans as needed.
"This was a world we knew nothing about, but they made sure we never felt alone," Michelle reflected. "Children’s of Alabama is a place you never want to be, but if you are, you’re so grateful it exists."
