Giggles and smiles!

Round 2 in ICU and Ali came out like a champ! Once the Docs found and treated the infection she was back to her old playful self according to her mommy! She's still in the hospital but she is doing much better. Here is a picture of Ali and her sister Abby wheeling around the hospital halls on Ali's IV pole. It sure is good to see both of them happy and smiling!

Ali has been told about all the wonderful people out there who are offering prayers and support on her behalf. She made this for all the caring people who are sending well wishes her way!

Ali's mommy and daddy still read each and every postcard that is sent to her. Send her a postcard and let her know you are still cheering her on!

Send a postcard to Aleta Smallwood room # 935

Facebook updates

June 18 @ 6:27pm
Chris Smallwood: Day 15 -Ali is doing good today. Still feeling much better but fighting some type of small infection, they think it may be urinary. Had a blood transfusion today as well as platelets and had to take Benadryl like she does everytime she gets a transfusion, she breaks out when they transfuse her. Benadryl makes her tired so she ...is resting. PawPaw and Grandma on their way up to visit. Thanks for all the support she just broke 500 people on her page and still growing.

June 19 @ 9:47am
Chris Smallwood: Day 16 -Update : Team Ali is up to 512 people, keep it rolling ! Ali's Benefit is June 26th in Pasadena, Tx. She is doing really good this morning. The Pancreas continues to get better. Her main issue now is, to put it bluntly, getting her to poop! All the pain meds have decided to stop her up for over two weeks, she has tummy... pain from being constipated. They are giving her meds today to unclog the clog !

June 20 @ 11:51pm via Mobile Web
Megan Smallwood: Back in the ICU with poor little Ali...same song 9th verse...


June 21 @ 10:48am 
Chris Smallwood: Day 18- - Team Ali had a set back over the weekend. After being released by ICU last week she spent a few days in her regular room. Yesterday the poor baby finally had a Bowel Movement after two weeks, can you imagine two weeks? But, the infection that sent her to ICU to begin with is back. It hit her last nigh...t, high fever and high heart rate. She is back in ICU but is stable. Will update again this afternoon.

June 22 @ 8:52am via Mobile Web
Megan Smallwood: Had a CT scan done last night and a biopsy on a little bump she had pop up on her leg. Let's hope they can further pinpoint the infection. She seems to be doing just a tad bit better...thank God!

June 22 @ 5:06m via Mobile Web
Megan Smallwood: Ali is S L O W L Y making improvements today. She had her fever under control for a while and her heart rate is down just a bit.

June 23 @ 7:51am via Mobile Web
Megan Smallwood: Still in the ICU and poor little Ali is in a tremendous amount of pain from her little tummy. We just went up on her pain meds. Hopefully it will work this time. Yall have a good day, thanks for all of your prayers and support.

June 23 @ 8:49am
Chris Smallwood: Day 20 -Ali had a good night :). Her fever is under control. Her heart rate is down in the 120's from 155. Doc says that her tummy is full of gas and that is what is causing the bloating and pain in her tummy. The chemo makes the intestines slow to a crawl so it takes a long time to get things moving. They th...ink her the infection may be from colitis in her colon, should know more today.

June 23 @ 11:41am via Mobile Web
Megan Smallwood Calling on all friends, family and supports! Please pray to get her bowels moving and working again. She is in so much pain.

June 23 @ 4:20pm
Chris Smallwood: Day 20 PM - Update - Good news today folks, Ali is out of ICU and back in a regular room (935). She is much better but still has the tummy issue they are trying to resolve. More good news - Team Ali is continuing to grow and we just hit 600 members. Let's keep it rolling !!

June 23 @ 9:20pm via Mobile Web
Megan Smallwood: Wonderful news! Ali is out of the ICU, and they found the infection!! Thank God! She should be hopping and skipping in no time at all!

June 25 @ 2:25pm
Chris Smallwood: Update - She is amazing. She is walking around now. She called me today and was so excited that they are now letting her eat ice chips. And of course she was also excited cause she pooped all by herself, hehee. Her hair is completely gone, I had mine shaved yesterday to match her. She is doing really good and looking forward to getting home soon !

June 25 @ 8:47pm
Megan Smallwood: ya'll would just not believe the progress Ali has made today! We started out the day a little bit sluggish (she had chemo pretty late last night and it makes her pretty tired) this afternoon, we got up, colored a little bit, and had some ice chips. She walked and then nearly RAN around the floor! Laughed and giggled so hard!

June 25 @ 8:48pm
Megan Smallwood: I saw my baby coming back to life today! I can not thank you all enough for all of your prayers and support! We wish we could make it out tomorrow, but she's just not stable enough for that YET!

June 27 @ 9:08am
Chris Smallwood : Update: The benefit was a huge success. My family and I cannot thank everyone enough for supporting us yesterday. The turnout exceeded anything we could have imagined. We actually ran out of food!! A special thanks to Mike Coppedge and his cooking team and to all the volunteers that helped out yesterday. Thanks to Ne...llie, we couldn't have done it without you. It was an emotional day for me to see the outpouring amount of support from old friends.

June 27 @ 9:08am
Chris Smallwood: Update - Ali Belle - Ali had a good ending to the week, I called her Friday night and mommy was tickling her, she was laughing sooo loud, it was awesome. She has been up and out of bed walking the hallways and is doing really good. God willing she can keep up the progress and be home soon. I am laying in her bed with h...er while typing this and she is trying to fight with me (play) so I am gonna go !!

June 27 @ 10:37pm
Megan Smallwood: I want to thank all of you who were out at the benefit. I know it was really hot and a lot of hard work and I can not even begin to express to ya'll the gratitude we feel. Thank you so much especially to all of our family and friends who made it all come together. Ali saw the first pictures tonight and she loved it!... She continues to make small improvements on a daily basis and is doing SO WELL!


June 28 @ 3:38pm
Chris Smallwood: Day 25 - Update: Ali called me today at work and gave me some good news !!! They took her tube out of her nose, she was soo happy. They also let her start eating and drinking, 3 weeks without food, she is a trooper, wow ! Soft foods for now, jello, yogurt, etc. She is up, laughing, walking around and we are seeing more and more of the old Ali Belle !

Benefit For Ali

A benefit for Ali will be held in Pasadena,Tx on June 26th. There will be BBQ, a silent auction, a car show, music by DJ and more.

June 26th

11am - 6pm

6800 Spencer Hwy @ Red Bluff 

in the Big Lots Shopping Center

Facebook Updates

Tuesday June 15 @ 2:26
Chris Smallwood Great NEWS!!! Team Ali is up to 357 members !!! Keep on rockin' Team Ali, spread the word !! Ali is resting today. All numbers looking good and doc says she should get out of ICU tomorrow if all goes well. She did get a central line put in today and was sedated for the procedure.


Tuesdy June 15 @ 5:30pm
Megan Smallwood We have gotten so many postcards delivered to the hospital! Thank you all so very much for your love and support. We couldn't have gotten this far without ya'll. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!

Wednesday June 16 @ 8:34
Chris Smallwood Update : Two words for all of you!!! THANK YOU ! For all the prayers and well wishes. Team Ali is rolling! Ali was released from ICU this morning and is now back on the 9th floor in her regular room (902). She is perking up a bit but still has tummy pain. Starting tomorrow she can have visitors in her room. Keep em' coming, Team Ali da bomb !

Thursday June 17 @ 4:45pm
Chris Smallwood Team Ali Update - Day 14 - Ali had a good day today. She actually called me on the phone at work and talked to me today. Ever seen a grown man cry at work. First words I have heard from my girl in over a week. Sweet music to my ears. She is in a little pain but doing great.

Friday June 18 @ 9:00am
Chris Smallwood Join us at Ali's Benefit in Pasadena, Tx on June 26th from 11am to 6pm. It is being held at 6800 Spencer Hwy at Red Bluff in the Big Lots Shopping Center Lot. We will have BBQ, Silent Auction, Car Show, Music by DJ and more!

Benefit For Ali Smallwood
Location:Pasadena, Tx
Time:11:00AM Saturday, June 26th

Facebook update

We got some good news in these updates! Check 'em out!

Monday June 14 at 8:45am
Chris Smallwood UPDATE Team Ali - Day 10 - ALI IS OFF THE VENTILATOR AND THE BREATHING TUBE IS OUT !!!! yyyEEEHAAAWW!!! She was so exhausted and discouraged yesterday and I know that this has lifted her spirits so much. God willing she will be back upstairs in her regular room soon and then home by the end of the week, yes I am optimistic.


Monday June 14 at 3:50pm
Chris Smallwood UPDATE : Great news for Team Ali !! The Bone Marrow that was taken Saturday came back negative for Leukemia,, NO LEUKEMIA in the bone marrow,, AWESOME NEWS !! Ali is smiling for mommy and eating jello and ice chips, she is a happy camper!

Monday June 14 at 7:46pm
Megan Smallwood The tube s out and she's slurping clear liquids!! WOOOOHOOO!!! Goooooo Ali!

My visit with Ali

Hi Everyone! This is Veronica, Ali's Aunt. My Husband, Niki and I drove to Houston to see the 'lil princess this weekend! I cannot tell you how good it was to see her. My heart has been heavy knowing she was having to endure so much. My parents called me early Wednesday morning to tell me that Ali had been moved to the ICU, and from there it seemed like time came to a halt. When I hear bad medical news my first step is to find out as much information as I can. So when Ali was diagnosed I used information as my comfort. I did searches through online medical journals, found blogs with children who were in Ali's age group, and read and read and read. Her going to the ICU did not compute with me. I have to admit I was scared... my information security blanket had failed to prepare me for what she was going through. I was constantly checking Facebook for updates (even more than before) and waiting as patiently as I could for phone updates. I thought Saturday would never come. I wanted to hug and kiss her and tell her how much she is loved.

Our first stop in Houston was at the Hospital. Our luck must have been up because we got there about an hour after she had her bone marrow test and she was awake. Laying in a huge bed that practically swallowed her up, she looked like many adult ICU patients I have seen with tubes galore only miniaturized. She was flanked by two poles of meds and a ventilation machine. Donned in a mask, I got on my tippy toes and tried to give her a kiss on the forehead. Because she was intubated she couldn't talk, but Mommy and Daddy are pretty good at reading her sign language. Niki and I were there long enough to say our hellos and show her her presents before she was tired again.

When I got to my mom's house I was greeted by a smaller version of Ali. Abby, Ali's little sister, is looking more like Ali every time I see her. She knows her sister is in the hospital and misses her very much. When the three of us drove back to the hospital that night for another visit Abby told me about the time when she rode in an ambulance because she was sick. She's only 3 and super smart like her sister!!! While Chris and Meg spent some time with Abby mom and I sat with Ali and watched her sleep. The ICU at night is a 'busy' quiet, punctuated with a small beep or a chime here and there. We got there right at the time Ali's Nurse was giving her meds. The nurses there are so awesome!!! Hooray for Texas Children's nurses! She didn't mind my questions and was very prompt when the infusions were complete to turn the alarms off. Two of Ali's nurses who took care of her when she was first diagnosed came to visit her before they went home for the night. That's dedication!!

On Sunday I went to see her once more. Again my luck was up because I arrived just as they had stopped the ventilation machine. Ali was awake and breathing on her own!! That was great news to my ears!!! I stayed with her for a little while and watched a bit of a movie. I talked and she listened patiently. I told her about the two nurses that came to visit her the previous night and she mouth "I love them". I repeated the words to her and she nodded her head to confirm that's what she said.  Despite the fact that she was having a crummy day she was miss manners while I was there. Telling me to sit down by pointing at a chair beside her bed while we watched the movie, and covering her mouth with her little hand when she tried to cough. She had tummy pains so the nurse gave her pain meds, but the pain meds make her itch so they have to give benadryl and all the while I'm in sitting there in awe of her. She has has more strength than some adults I have seen. She is a wonder to me!

Below is a picture that was taken when she was admitted in the ICU. I had my camera in my pocket but didn't take a picture while I was there. The chemo has made her really hot natured lately so she wasn't properly clothed. I didn't think she would want us snapping photos of her without her without her princess outfit on (^_^). I think I was right because on Saturday while I was there she asked Daddy for a shirt, but with all those wires it would not be an easy task. She settled with having just a sheet over her chest. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes, prayers, and support! Chris and Megan have been reading all the post cards that have been sending. Keep them coming! GO TEAM ALI!!!

Facebook updates!

Sorry for the delay posting the Facebook updates. I was finally able to visit Ali in Houston this weekend and had few mins to spare. Here is the updates over the last few days. There is some really great news in here!!!
 
Friday June 11 at 8:30am
Chris Smallwood Update - Team Ali - Day 7 - Good night last night !! All of Ali's vitals are great , yes great!!! NO FEVER since yesterday morning !! Oxygen level is 99% and that is after they have started lowering the ventilator. Her tummy has began to decrease in size and has become soft again instead of rock hard. Doc says she is... rebounding by leaps and bounds and is on her way to hopefully being done with the ventilator very soon. We are praying for no more setbacks.

Friday June 11 at 10:03am
Chris Smallwood Team Ali Update - Just got a call from my wife and the doc just visited. THE LEUKEMIA CELLS ARE 100% GONE FROM ALI'S BLOOD !!! This was expected news but great news as well. Now the long road to keeping it gone begins. My baby is fighting her way back and in a big way. Bone Marrow biopsy tomorrow to see if there is any... Leukemia there and then they will begin to take her off the ventilator.

Saturday June 12 at 7:14am
Chris Smallwood Good morning Team Ali !! She had a very good night last night. All vitals are excellent, I got an I love you from her, she had a sponge bath, she somehow let me know that she wants me to get her a nintendo ds,,hmm ? Today she is going around 10am for her bone marrow biopsy. We are praying that they find nothing as in the bloodwork.

Saturday June 12 at 1:52pm
Chris Smallwood Update: they just finished the bone marrow procedure and will have results back monday. doc says Ali did great. All vitals are awesome. More good news, they have started weening her off the ventilator, say it is about a two day process, she is sooo ready for that to come out. Chem is next up for today, pray for her strength, she is so tired.

Saturday June 12 at 7:00pm
Chris Smallwood Ali is resting comfortably after a long day. She had a bone marrow procedure and chemotherapy all in one day. Our little trooper is getting ansty. She is ready to get up and get moving, she has been really up and alert all afternoon even though she is on the ventilator. She is very excited, her Uncle Niki and Aunt Vero...nica brought her a Nintendo DS she was so happy, it really brightened up her day. Tomorrow they start bringing her off the ventilator even more so that is welcomed news.

Sunday June 13 at 7:32 am
Chris Smallwood Update - Team Ali - Day 9 - She had a very good night and got plenty of really much needed sleep. All numbers look good and they are going to turn down the ventilator even more today so that hopefully her lungs will be ready to go tomorrow for them to remove breathing tube. No major meds today, no tests, should be a laid back day for my little princess.

Sunday June 13 at 12:51pm
Chris Smallwood Team Ali , good news - Ali may have the breathing tube out quicker than they thought. She is going through a couple test today and if all is good then she may get it taken out this evening. If they don't want to do it this evening then they will do it tomorrow morning. Good news !

Sunday June 13 at 3:04
Chris Smallwood UPDATE - excellent news for TEAM ALI ! She is breathing all by herself. The ventilator is turned off and she is rockin and rollin. She is having a bad day mentally, she is ready to go home. As soon as this tube is taken out of her throat hopefully we will be headed back upstairs to her original room. I am sure that will put some pep in her step.

Sunday June 13 8:14pm
Chris Smallwood Update - today was a rough day but a good one. All vitals remained on course, blood sugar dropped to an acceptable level, got some good rest. The chemo yesterday combined with the bone marrow procedure caused alot of stress and today she was recuperating. She was visited by her Aunt/Godmother Veronica and her Kindergar...ten Teacher Mrs. Olsen, that lifted her spirits a bit but she was still pooped out. Better days to come !

Sunday June 13 8:18pm
Chris Smallwood We are up to 309 members strong on Team Ali, spread the word !!

Monday June 14 ~ 9:00am
Chris Smallwood UPDATE Team Ali - Day 10 - ALI IS OFF THE VENTILATOR AND THE BREATHING TUBE IS OUT !!!! yyyEEEHAAAWW!!! She was so exhausted and discouraged yesterday and I know that this has lifted her spirits so much. God willing she will be back upstairs in her regular room soon and then home by the end of the week, yes I am optimistic.

Good News!

Thursday June 10 at 4:16pm
Chris Smallwood: Hey guys and gals, great news today! Due to all of the fluid they had to give Ali yesterday to help her blood pressure today she was having a hard time breathing due to the fluid on her lungs. They did put in a breathing tube to help her lungs quicker which was not ideal but it was best. She is sedated so she will not try to pull out the tube.

NOW the good news - The doctor came in this afternoon and said she is amazed at how quickly Ali is recovering from the past few days. Her blood tests are showing amazing numbers and the tummy issues are starting to resolve themselves. Her blood pressure is back to normal, her heart rate is great and my girl is fighting her way back! There... is still an infection to find but this is amazing news today. Thank you all for your support!

Friday June 11 ~ 1:00am via Facebook for BlackBerry
Chris Smallwood: sitting next to Ali by her bed. She is on a ventilator but quickly improving. never have I admired her more than now. she is such a stong girl. she is coherent enough that she opens up her eyes and looks at me and squeezes my finger. nurse is fixing to give her a sponge bath. we could all learn more from her, she is my heart.

Friday June 11 ~ 9:00
Chris Smallwood: Update - Team Ali - Day 7 - Good night last night !! All of Ali's vitals are great , yes great!!! NO FEVER since yesterday morning !! Oxygen level is 99% and that is after they have started lowering the ventilator. Her tummy has began to decrease in size and has become soft again instead of rock hard. Doc says she is...... rebounding by leaps and bounds. We are praying for no more setbacks.

Friday June 11 ~ 10:00
Chris Smallwood: Team Ali Update - Just got a call from my wife and the doc just visited. THE LEUKEMIA CELLS ARE 100% GONE FROM ALI'S BLOOD !!! This was expected news but great news as well. Now the long road to keeping it gone begins. My baby is fighting her way back and in a big way. Bone Marrow biopsy tomorrow to see if there is any... Leukemia there and then they will begin to take her off the ventilator.

Send Ali a postcard

Brighten Ali's day with a postcard. It's free and easy to do. Texas Children's Hospital will print out your message on a postcard and deliver it to her bedside. I think it's just a wonderful way to let Ali know you are thinking about her.
Click  here to send a card. Her full name is Aleta Belle Smallwood, and she is in Pediatric ICU Bed 5.

Go Team Ali!!!

Facebook Updates

Wednesday June 9 at 10:31pm via Facebook for BlackBerry
Chris Smallwood: praying that my baby Ali Belle is home with us very soon. please say a prayer for my baby. she I'd in ICU but she is stable. hoping for a good day tomorrow.

Wednesday June 9 at 10:44pm
Chris Smallwood: Update Day 5 - Ali is resting comfortably tonight. Her blood pressure is up to 125/68, her bpm is 113, blood counts are good after blood, plasma, and platelets transfusions today. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.
 
Thursday June 10 at ~8:50am
Megan Smallwood: Thank you all so much for the prayers and support! She's still in ICU but improving little by little...not quite out of the woods yet but I can see the light!

Chris Smallwood: Ali had a good night last night in the Intensive Care Unit. She has become more stable with a normal heart rate and blood pressure. They filled her with fluids yesterday to get her blood pressure up and this morning they are giving her another drug to get the fluid off her since it is making it harder for her to breath...e with fluid on her lungs. Her Tummy is still very large from her Liver and Spleen which is a result of the chemo. Poor baby has 4 IV lines including a central line in her leg and an arterial line in her wrist along with the normal two she already had. She had a good night and so far today is having a good day. Your prayers are being heard and someone is looking out for our girl. She is a fighter, I never dreamed she was so strong... as to handle everything this is throwing at her but her fighting side has come out and she will not let it get the best of her. Right now the doc is waiting on the blood cultures to come back so they can find where the infection started so they can attack it. Keep praying, he is listening.

Facebook Updates

June 7 Monday at 10:42pm
Chris Smallwood: Ali had a good day today. No chemotherapy today only the regular 8 meds. No setbacks, blood counts gone very low which means the chemotherapy is working. She was able. To go to the arts and crafts class today on the 16th floor and received some flowers from some special people as well. One xray today and tummy is still ...very swollen. Next dose of chemotherapy tomorrow.

June 8 at 9:50am Via Msg on Facebook
Chris Smallwood:  Day 3 -Ali had a good day yesterday. No chemotherapy, only the regular 8 meds. No setbacks, blood counts gone very low which means the chemotherapy is working. She was able to go to the arts and crafts class today on the 16th floor and received some flowers from some special people as well. One xray today and tummy is still very swollen. Next dose of chemotherapy today.

June 8 Tuesday at 2:52pm Via Msg on Facebook
Chris Smallwood: Ali Belle had her Chemo treatment today. Not fun, big ole' shot in the thigh. She did great and is already up on her feet and headed to the gift shop for her daily baloon that she gets from her Grandma Sally.

June 8 Tuesday at 10:01pm
Chris Smallwood: Day 4 - 
Today Ali Belle had a really bad day. She had chemo today by way of two shots to each of her thighs. She is having tummy complications which we hope get worked out very soon. She slept most of the day today as the chemo took it's toll. She did go to pill swallowing class this morning. The doc said she did great.... Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

June 9 Wednesday ~ 3am
Chris Smallwood: It's gonna be a long night. Ali started vomitting tonight and before we knew it she was running a 102.5 fever, blood pressure dropped and heart rate is at 160 bpm. Gave her meds about 30 minutes ago, no change yet. If ur reading this an extra prayer right now wouldn't hurt. I am sitting by her bed waiting for a good sign.

June 9 Wednesday ~11:30
Chris Smallwood: Team Ali - update: bad news I just got my 1st chance to come out of ICU. The night went from bad to worse. Fever spiked, heart rate was 176, if your a parent this was your worst nightmare. In ICU, drainage into nose and tummy to relieve pressure in abdomen.She is now stable thank god. Has major infection they are trying to track down. Say a prayer for my baby.

Facebook Updates

Hi! I'm Veronica, Ali's aunt who lives in Austin. I don't get down to Houston as much as I would like, but when I do I always look forward to seeing my Ali 'Kat' and her sister Abby 'Baby Bear'. Over the last few years Chris and Megan have connected with me on Facebook, a social networking site, making it easy for me to keep in touch. They take time to post pictures, special events, and everyday happenings on their page so I feel as connected to the girls as if I were living next door. When Ali was diagnosed with A.L.L. Chris and Megan used Facebook to get the word out. I realize not everyone has a Facebook account so I wanted to post the updates that Chris has made thus far. Ali's parents will be posting info and photos to this site when they have some free time. Until then, I'll post what I see on Facebook and try to keep non-facebook people on the same page.

June 4 Friday at 11:30am via Facebook for BlackBerry

Chris Smallwood: Our daughter "Ali" was diagnosed with Leukemia today. She is in good hands at Texas Childrens Hospital. We'll take all the prayers we can get. Please say a prayer for my baby.

June 5 Saturday at 11:22am via Facebook for BlackBerry

Chris Smallwood: Thank you for the prayers and well wishes from my friends and FB family. Today is day 1 in the fight against Leukemia and we will win. Chemo starts and many other meds but my baby is a strong girl. Please keep her "Ali" in your prayers.

June 5 Saturday at 6:40pm via Facebook for BlackBerry 

Chris Smallwood: Update: Ali had a good day today on day 1 of chemotherapy. She was able to get up and walk around, go to the library. Good energy and no hurdles today. Keep the prayers coming and thank you all for caring about Ali Belle.

June 6 Sunday at 12:12am via Facebook for BlackBerry
Chris Smallwood: wide awake, can't make my mind relax. this is the time when it's good my daughter is asleep and doesn't see the stress this disease causes. we have a lot of support is what helps me when i need to go through this.

June 6 Sunday at 7:15am via Facebook for BlackBerry
Chris Smallwood: Day 2 under way it never stopped. Poor kiddo, every time she got to sleep they were waking her for meds, vitals, or blood. Refreshed and ready to whoop some cancer butt today. Everyone have a good day.

June 7 Monday at 1:05am via Facebook for BlackBerry 

Chris Smallwood: Good day today for Ali. No major problems and enjoyed decorating her room with mommy and daddy. A fan page is being created for all of "you" wonderful people who have sent us your prayers for my baby girl. It should be up tomorrow, we will keep you updated.

June 7 Monday at 1:07am via Facebook for BlackBerry 
Chris Smallwood: Update: bloodwork just came in and everything is looking great. Calcium is low but all other numbers are looking very good.

June 7 Monday at 9:18pm via Facebook for BlackBerry 

Chris Smallwood: Average day today for Ali. Blood counts are going very low which shows the chemo is doing it's job. Bad thing is because they are so low she has to wear a mask when leaving the room. Her immune system is almost non-functional so we are being very careful. Good news: this 1st round should be over in a couple days and we ...should be home by the end of the week, god willing.

Team Ali

Hi my name is Chris Smallwood. My wife (Megan) and I have a daughter that has been recently diagnosed with A.L.L (Acute Lymphastic Leukemia). Ali was born on August 26, 2004 in Tucson, Az. She has lived a very normal and healthy life with no major illnesses and nothing had ever happened that ever gave notice of having Leukemia. A few weeks ago she came home from school and wanted to go to bed. We didn't think much of it until a few days later when she kept doing it and was sleeping all through the night. She started running a fever of 104 degrees so we took her to the doctor. She was diagnosed with a double ear infection and sent home with antibiotics. Four days later she started running a fever of 103. We took her to Texas Childrens Hospital Emergency on Thursday, June 3 where they then admitted her for further testing after telling us the horrible news that she could have Cancer. The next day ( Friday ) our worst fears were confirmed when we were told she had Leukemia. Ali is in a fight with this disease and is determined to win. With such a strong showing of support we wanted to create a page where we could keep everyone updated on her journey as she takes on and beats her Leukemia. Thank you for joining, thank you for your prayers and for caring about our baby. We will give daily or weekly updates to let all of her supporters know how her battle is being fought. Thanks for being part of "Team Ali".

Meet Ali

Aleta "Ali" Belle Smallwood born Thursday , August 26,2004 at TMC in Tucson at 12:34 am  she was 8lbs 5oz. and a whopping 20.5" long.

Ali is 5 years old and just completed her first year at school. She likes to play, dance and be the beautiful princess she was born to be. She was recently diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This blog is made for her parents to post updates, vent, and share their concerns with family and friends who want to support Ali through her fight. GO TEAM ALI!!