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Isabel May

  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

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Isabel May Turse was born on May 8, 1999. She was the first of four much loved children born to Elisa and Joe Turse. Isabel lived a happy and healthy life her first two years. She became bruised and lethargic after her second birthday, but the pediatrician repeatedly sent us home without any testing. We took Isabel to Children's Hospital on our own where she was quickly diagnosed with advanced leukemia (ALL). Isabel's course was not an easy one. She had surgeries, eye and bone marrow relapses, radiation and chemotherapy. Isabel was strong and smart. Her persistence allowed her to succeed when others would have given up.

Isabel loved stickers, Strawberry Shortcake, lollipops, Taco Bell, and Hello Kitty. Cinderella was her favorite princess. Isabel never was without a purse with writing paper and pens for her planning, thoughts and drawings. She loved blueberries, corn on the cob and strawberries. The strawberry plants in her garden still bloom with sweet berries every year around her birthday. Isabel loved to help in the kitchen and watched cooking shows. She always wore dresses and cardigans with a pink headband. Isabel danced ballet and pushed her physical limits with karate, soccer and yoga. She loved movies and created "tickets" for movie night at home. Isabel loved to shop for clothes, accessories, paper and pens.

She was generous, kind and loving, yet spunky for her petite stature. Isabel loved her family and loved to twirl her Mom's hair for comfort. She never met her youngest brother, but one of his first words was Bel.

On November 20, 2005, at home with her Mom and Dad in bed with her, Isabel breathed her last breath. We love and miss Isabel every second of every day. She is forever in our hearts.

Written by: Elisa & Joe Turse

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Adalee loves 4H and show animals. While she was helping with the lambs and pigs one day, her parents noticed she had multiple bruises. Before she knew it, Adalee was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Today, she is in treatment fighting.
Arianna is a firecracker. She is loving, empathetic, and bold. At a mere 13 months old, Arianna was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and began intensive treatment with some life-threatening complications. Today she is NED and her family raises money for ALSF.
grayson
Grayson was a witty, intelligent kid who loved playing in his band, Minecraft, board games and so much more. He was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma and after 23 months of treatment, sadly passed away.
Elijah's favorite football team is the Dallas Cowboys, he's musically talented, and likes working with his dad. Before diagnosis, Elijah's parents thought the pain he was suddenly feeling in his leg was from the growing pains of being a teenager.
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