Hello I am Grammy Tina, and this is our Isabelle’s story. This past Memorial Day our sassy 8-year old granddaughter really wasn’t feeling well and she hadn’t for about a week. She had just completed a round of antibiotics that didn’t seem to work. Mom and I took her to the emergency room; five tests and three long hours later the doctors made the urgent decision to transfer Isabelle and her mom by ambulance to a Tertiary Children’s Hospital; Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. Her dad met them there as quickly as he could. From day one, Isabelle has had her fiercest champions beside her: Mom, Dad, Pop Pop, and me.
On May 30th, we received the heartbreaking diagnosis:
Rhabdomyosarcoma—a rare and aggressive childhood cancer.
The cancer has already spread throughout her small body: her chest, lungs, lymph nodes, arm, and soft tissues. Because it’s so aggressive, doctors started her on an intense 12-week chemotherapy treatment immediately, without waiting for biopsy results. The full biopsy will help determine the exact subtype of RMS, but that could still take another week or more.
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare malignant tumor that forms in skeletal muscle tissue, often in areas like the head, neck, bladder, uterus, arms, and legs. It is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children, but still so rare—and devastating.
Isabelle’s oxygen level was very low and she spent some time in the ICU upon arriving at Nicklaus but she has now been moved to the Oncology (6th) Floor. There she can begin building a healing routine with family involvement, life skills coping programs, and the comfort of a more structured environment that feels a bit more like home. Isabelle had stopped eating prior to arriving at the hospital because she was feeling ill, compound anxiety, chemotherapy treatment, the after affects; she was existing on IV’s and ice chips and any food smells were disruptive to her senses. Luckily she has finally eaten something solid. But every Friday is scheduled chemotherapy treatment.
We’re deeply grateful to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital—they don’t just provide care, they provide a village. And it truly takes a village.
Isabelle, her mom Darline, and dad Joel—“The Mitchell’s”—are a small but mighty family, built on deep love, resilience, and faith. But now, they are facing the unimaginable, and the unforeseen costs that come with it—medical bills, time away from work, travel, and day-to-day needs while staying close to the hospital, treatments and travel to/from, unforeseen emergencies, while caring for a sick and scared child.
We all try to plan for the “what ifs” in life—but no one ever expects this.
If you are able, please consider lifting them up with a donation, a meal, a prayer, or simply sharing their story. Every gesture matters. Every bit of love counts.
Thank you for being part of our village. ❤️
