Emmery loves Mickey Mouse, dance class and reading books. She is sweet, kind, smart and loving. She was also diagnosed with stage III malignant ovarian germ cell tumors at 2 years old.

Right before her diagnosis, Emmery began to have minor tummy pain and a slightly distended belly. Thinking they were being overprotective and after much consideration, her parents finally decided to make an appointment with a nurse practitioner. On September 1, 2015, Emmery had X-rays and masses were found in her abdomen. She was transferred from her local hospital to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a cancer that makes up less than three percent of all types of childhood cancer.

Emmery underwent four rounds of inpatient chemotherapy. She has also had two major abdominal surgeries. She finished treatment in December 2015, but not long after, discovered the chemotherapy caused her tumors to mutate into benign, mature Teratoma instead of dying off. She was then diagnosed with Growing Teratoma Syndrome (GTS). In Emmery's case, the tumors were growing at a fast rate, and in May 2016 she underwent yet another surgery to try to remove them. Unfortunately, the tumors were too widespread and the surgery was unsuccessful.

Because of the size of the tumors pressing into her lungs, she ended up in a month-long medically-induced coma. But despite her diminished lung capacity, doctors were able to get her off the ventilator and breathing on her own. She was able to leave the hospital about two months post surgery, but with no real plan as to what to do next. Many hospitals told Emmery's parents that she would need a multi-organ transplant due to how extensive and attached the tumors were to her organs. But then, they found a doctor who was willing to perform another surgery to try to remove the tumors without removing major organs. After two surgeries, 99% of the tumor was removed! Emmery's family believes it was a true miracle.

Emmery’s mom, Ashley, wants Emmery to grow up and be her version of a “normal” girl, with minimal memories of her cancer and treatment. Ashley hopes Emmery has a life free of long-term side effects and she hopes that Emmery grows up happy without the fear of cancer returning. She is currently being monited for the small bit of remaining tumor, but has been cancer-free for four years and has had no growth on her GTS tumor for one year!

Ashley offers this advice to parents who have children battling cancer: “Your child is stronger than you even know them to be. You will find ways to become stronger for them that you had no idea were possible. Cancer is ugly but the lessons you learn from your child during their cancer battle are beautiful."

Now Emmery is thriving, growing, and able to participate fully in all life’s activities. She is 6 years old, loves anything glittery, loves dancing, is taking violin lessons, performing great in school and loving life every day.

Hero quote: "I am a warrior princess!" - Emmery 

Information provided by Ashley Antoine, Emmery’s mom
December 2019