Our innocent, kind and sweet Ellie Shoal Potvin (a twin), at six years old has Stage 4 (Rhabdomyosarcoma) Cancer in her trunk, upper leg and lungs.   On July 2nd 2008, I found a hard lump in her pelvis area while powdering her before bedtime.  Immediately my husband and felt the fear and anxiety overwhelming our bodies, we knew deep down to our core, something was terribly wrong.   We bundled our Ellie in a blanket and rushed her to the ER at 10:00pm.  By 2:00am (only 4 hours later) our lives had forever changed, our first-born was tragically diagnosed with Cancer.  I can remember the moment vividly, like watching a horror movie in my head.  I can hear the Doctors voice, see the look of helplessness in my husband’s eyes, feel the sheer fear that screamed in my mind and shuttered through my body.  I struggled to not fall down while I tried to wrap my mind around this unbelievable diagnosis.  It was at that moment in time, or Lord no longer walked beside us, but lifted my entire family in his loving arms and began to carry us.  I thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and support you are sending us throughout this heartbreaking time in our lives. For I know, alone my legs are to weak to stand and my heart to broken to beat by it.  You all are lifting our family and my precious Ellie.  Each day I wake up and wonder was this just a terribly vivid nightmare? Then I realize, no this is one of life’s many twists and turns. 

Our family’s sole mission and purpose is to care, support, love, bring joy and treat our Ellie to heal her of all cancer and save our beloved daughters life.  We ask first and foremost ask for your continued prayers.  We have also created the "Lift Up Ellie Fund" to assist with our family's medical bills over the next couple years. 

Only 40% of children survive, of the 350 kids, who fight Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer each year.  We thank you for your donation toward the “Lift Up Ellie Fund.”  We are grateful to all of you for your prayers, support, compassion and love for our family.

Ellie's twin sister is Grace; they are best of friends and rarely leave each other’s side. 

They sleep in the same bedroom, they wear each other’s clothes, they play with each other’s toys and laugh and cry together.  They are individuals, but attached in spirit since birth.  Cancer does not only affect Ellie, but hurts everyone in her circle. Our Ellie was perfectly happy, energetic, tanned and appeared healthy... not a symptom but a dull leg ache for the last few months. What was dismissed for growing pains was the ugly tumor growing silently in her lower abdomen pressing on the nerves in her left leg.  Our loving family asks for your prayers for God to heal our Ellie.  We do need a miracle.  Ellie began her cancer treatment on Saturday, July 5th.

Ellie's cancer diagnosis at Levine CMC is the following:

About 3% of Childhood Cancer are Rhabdomyosarcoma, only 350 new cases occur each year in the United States. The outlook for chances of survival (prognosis) for children with cancer depends, to a large extent, to the cancers stage.  Ellie’s has stage 4 cancer (highest risk) and the 5 year survival rate is generally around 25%. Since she relapsed in Mid-September 2009 the survival rate is only 10%.

This is the critical time period... Our Ellie had 42 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 days of radiation between July 2, 2008 - May 30, 2009.  Less than 3 months later (we enjoyed the summer fun!) the Potvin Family was devastated to learn the cancerous tumor was growing again in her lower abdomen.  A second line of treatment was started in October 2009.  Once again our Ellie started a new chemotherapy treatment for 30 days. Sadly, we  learned on November 9, 2009 the CAT scan proved no improvement and cancer had spread to her lungs.  

Our Ellie has a 10% chance to survive this rare and devastating cancer.  We continue to believe in Miracles and have faith God will provide her with the cure.  We are praying and seeking wisdom from the best medical researchers and Oncologists around the world.

The encouraging news is that Ellie is young with full spirit and a sparkle for life.  Her flame may fade, but not burn out. Our Ellie is a fighter and not ready to leave us. Thank you again for all your support!

God Bless All You Love,

Team Potvin: Amy, Tim, Ellie and Grace Potvin

FOLLOW ELLIE'S JOURNEY...

 www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliepotvin 

Stage 4 Relapse Rhabdomyosarcoma...cancer tumors in lungs and abdomen

Donate 

You can make a difference in Ellie’s fight to beat cancer by your charitable donation, donating time, organizing your own community or office fundraiser to the “Lift Up Ellie Fund.”  

You are enabling this family to channel the majority of their energy into fighting Ellie’s cancer and finding her cure.

Team Potvin thank all with full heart in supporting this journey and praying for the healing of their daughter