Don’t mess with Emory Paulin. She’s tougher than your average 10-year-old, and her collection of martial arts belts only tells a snippet of the story.
Emory was only 6 years old when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare but aggressive bone cancer, on August 7, 2020. Her parents describe her as spunky, funny and fearless – exactly the character traits she needed for the fight ahead of her, one that would frighten even the most courageous adults. Together with her family, and her oncologist Dr. Frances Austin, Emory was determined to beat her disease.
“The treatment for osteosarcoma hasn't changed much in the last 40 years, but not for a lack of trying,” said Dr. Austin, who specializes in the care of patients with sarcomas, or cancers that affect the bones and soft tissues. “Multiple trials have attempted adding other agents, but nothing is better than the three chemotherapy agents (methotrexate, doxorubicin and cisplatinum) and surgical resection.”
The chemotherapy regimen lasted 30+ weeks, including a combination of inpatient stays and long days in the outpatient clinic. For Emory, treatment ultimately also meant above the knee amputation of her right leg.
While Emory and her family faced each hurdle with grace, it wasn’t easy.
“Everyone was so supportive and patient. Both with us navigating the treatment and the emotional aspects of having a child go through cancer as well as with Emory and what she needed to feel comfortable charging ahead,” said Emory’s mom, Jen. “The entire nursing staff was always wonderful. I don’t think we would have gotten through without them. And certainly Dr. Austin. She is always so calm and engaging. We needed that anchor and a voice telling us we would all get through this.”
Two of Emory’s favorite nurses in the hospital were Larissa Gregory and McKennah Sears, who enjoyed getting to know and helping her just as much.
“It’s fun to do things to help kids feel like kids, whether that’s playing, coloring or taking a step outside for some fresh air,” said Larissa. “I remember Emory being such a brave and vocal girl. She was great at advocating for herself and helping us help her. I still have one of the cards she wrote me.”
“Since patients like Emory often spend a lot of time in the hospital for treatment, being a familiar face who can help ease their stress is incredibly important to me. When caring for pediatric patients with tough diagnoses, I focus on building trust and providing emotional support,” added McKennah. “What struck me most about Emory was her combination of sweetness and fierce determination. Despite the challenges she faced, she remained incredibly brave, displaying a maturity beyond her years and handling everything with grace and a smile on her face – with a little bit of sass sprinkled in.”
Emory decorated her first prosthetic leg with rainbows. These days her favorite things are books and dragons, though maybe not in that order. She also loves creating art of any kind with any medium.
“If she can create, she’s happy. She’s also rolling through the ranks in her martial arts class. She will be testing for her purple belt in the coming weeks. We’re so proud of her,” added Jen.
Dr. Austin always relished hearing about the virtual “expeditions” Emory and her grandmother would take to Antarctica, China and other extraordinary places throughout chemotherapy, which also coincided with the height of the COVID pandemic. Perhaps an in-person trip is in her happy, healthy future.
“Emory’s prognosis is great. She is 3 and half years off therapy and doing really well. She is still under surveillance for recurrence until 5 years off therapy, but her scans continue to look good,” said Dr. Austin.
Mom added, “We continue to be grateful to the staff and support system at CHoR. This experience has changed our entire family, but not all in negative ways.”
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