And that stuffed animal “has been a faithful companion through out this journey,” said Maya’s dad, Tom Collins.
Eight-year-old Maya gave her stuffed animal lots of extra hugs during her six-month, three-day stay while at Children’s Hospital being treated for AML, a rare form of Leukemia. Treatment was more difficult because she had a genetic anomaly, called Monosomy 7.
Maya, a third-grader at Mason Heights Elementary, was given a bone marrow transplant on Sept. 1 to beat the blood cancer.
Needless to say, Maya said she was “scared.”
But Maya said her parents’ words, along with the stuffed kitty, comforted her.
“They said they’d take care of me and told me nothing’s going to go wrong,” she said.
A big step in Maya’s recovery happened on Oct. 12 when she came home. And being homebodies this Christmas season — and really through late spring — is OK with the Collins clan.
“She’s kind of quarantined,” Maya’s mom, Bonnie Collins said. “She’s got a very low immune system.”
Maya does crafts at home, has a tutor come in for about an hour a day four days a week and plays with her big sister, Anna, 10. She does get to the leave the house — though she must wear a mask — but those trips are often regulated to CVS down the street and the hospital for clinics.
Tom said it’s nice to be home again. Bonnie and Tom often only saw each other during Maya’s six-month hospitalization, for only a few minutes when they were trading time being at the hospital at nights and at home being with Anna.
“We lived separate lives for the past six months,” Tom said. “Being at home gives a whole new perspective of being at home and enjoying family time.”
Especially being together, at home, for Christmas, the Collins’ said.
The experience also has given the family “a whole new appreciation for each other,” Bonnie said. “It’s brought us much closer as a family.”
Going through the process of finding out what was wrong with Maya on was “frustrating,” the Collins’ said.
Every few days Maya became “real lethargic” and the Collins’ said “something’s not right.”
Maya started to get sick about a year ago — complaints of not feeling well, lack of energy, nosebleeds, paleness. Other diagnosis were given, such as low blood sugar and anemia.
“None of her symptoms were typical Leukemia symptoms,” Bonnie said. There were no swollen glands, no bruising. “It was a little atypical so that’s why I think it took the doctors a little bit longer to figure out what it was.”
But at around spring break earlier this year, a complete blood count was performed. As soon as the results were in, Bonnie said she was told to bring Maya to the doctor’s office “immediately.” More tests were done, then she was sent to Children’s Hospital for additional tests and the ultimate diagnosis was given.
“And then we never left Children’s,” Bonnie said.
Maya Collins experienced a rainbow of emotions while being treated and recovering from AML. But she doesn’t mind the lack of hair, often saying, “Bald is beautiful.” (But she can’t wait till her hair grows back out).
Maya was like a mini-rock star while in the hospital, getting lots of mail and prayers from family, friends and complete strangers. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training has named Maya one of four heroes for the team’s runs in this year’s Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati and Rock n Roll Madrid Maratón in Spain.
Maya is an inspiration to others who are battling cancer, said Michelle Steed, executive director of the Tri-State Chapter of LLS.
“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society wants patients like Maya to know that we are there for them, providing information and support throughout their entire cancer journey,” said Steed.
And this late spring, when Maya is able to go out into the world without the worry of getting sick, she wants to do a number of things, like see a movie in the theater or spend the night at a friend’s house. But one of the first things she said is, “See my friends.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or michael.pitman@coxinc.com. Follow at
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