Layla's Story

Layla Grace Marsh

11/26/07-3/9/10

Layla Grace Marsh was born November 26, 2007. She was a beautiful, healthy, happy baby. She had a smile that could light up a room and an infectious laugh. Her playful demeanor and sense of humor made her an absolute joy to be around. So at 16 months, when Layla became more irritable and her eating habits changed, her parents, Shanna and Ryan, didn't think much of the changes in character. But what started out as a normal toddler ailments, quickly escalated into the Marsh's family worst nightmare. In the beginning of May 2009, Layla awoke with a swollen eye. She was taken to the doctor and treated for an ear infection. Her parents, also, noted that her abdomen was hard and she hadn't had a bowel moment for a while. Layla's pediatrician put her on medication in hopes it would help constipation over the weekend. By Monday, Layla had stopped eating and was point to her abdomen and back saying, "Owie." Thursday, May 7, 2009, the Marsh family's was changed forever. Shanna and Ryan's biggest fears were realized when they were told the Layla's doctors had discovered a massive tumor extending from above her left kidney, around her side, over her belly, and around her aorta. There were, also, a tumor behind each eye and one behind her ear. The disease was in her bone marrow and bones, too. Layla was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma. A rare and deadly childhood cancer. Treatment started right away, and over the next 10 months, Layla underwent seven rounds of chemotherapy, 11 surgeries, multiple blood transfusions, a bone marrow harvest and transplant, radiation, and lengthy hospital stays. Through it all, Layla continued to fight. She saw more strength than anyone can imagine. Nevertheless, Friday, January 22, 2010, the Marsh's received the devastating news that the treatments had failed and Layla had new tumors. She was sent home on low dose chemotherapy with 2-6 months to live. 6 months being a miracle. In mid-February, Layla started having trouble sleeping. The nightly doses of Tylenol for pain turned into daily doses of Morphine. Layla stopped eating and only wanted to be held. She became increasingly lethargic, fussy, and just plain uncomfortable. They made a rush appointment with the doctors and they were told the tumors had been growing at an alarming rate. Her mom could feel the tumor in her baby's abdomen. Layla had less time than they thought. Despite all of the hope Layla's doctors had in their treatment plan, the prayers of family, friends, and perfect strangers, Layla's body couldn't take it anymore. At 7:15 a.m., March 9, 2010, Layla danced into heaven.