PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — One of her many aliases is “Princess Emerson,” Emma for short, but the spunky 3-year-old wears more hats than just a tiara.
She’s a rockstar, a painter and even Superwoman. But like every superhero, Emerson has a nemesis. It’s name is cancer.
Her family is still coming to grips with the fact that they’re waging this battle, yet again.
“The first time was heartbreaking,” Emerson’s mom Johnna Lucier said. “The second time was, you’re just going on auto pilot. The third time was, you just don’t really know. How many times is she gonna have to go through this? This poor child.”
They got the devastating news just before thanksgiving.
The Acute Myeloid Leukemia Emerson courageously beat not once, but twice, was back for a third time, this time with a vengeance.
“It’s is an aggressive type of leukemia,” Dr. Roma Bhuta, the hematology/oncology pediatrician overseeing Emerson’s case at Hasbro Children’s Hospital said. “We have to give more intense chemotherapy now, stronger than what we’ve given before during the first two times.”
The family once again made the hospital their home. Emerson’s rockstar dad, Tim Lucier, draws inspiration for his music from a situation no parent wants to be in.
“I write music here in the hospital,” he said. “Some of the nurses think I’m crazy because I’m up until 5 a.m. writing songs on my computer.”
Though the writing may be therapeautic, Emerson’s parents say nothing helps them through like the strength of their little warrior.
“Cancer will not have us and cancer will not have her,” Johnna said. “No matter what happens.”
Emerson’s now ready for her second bone marrow transplant, scheduled for Feb. 15 at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Superwoman, ready to put a stop to her nemisis once and for all, because she’s small, but strong.
To follow Emerson’s progress, visit her Facebook page, titled “Emerson’s Road to Recovery.”
Her parents aren’t working while their little girl fights for the third time, so their family has set up a Go Fund Me page to help with expenses.
