The outcome looked grim for newborn Malia Wallace.
Sickle Cell Anemia, also known as “the silent killer,” had invaded her frail, two-week old body. And her family tried to make sense of what to do next for the tiny baby.
It has been a rough journey, with a rollercoaster of emotions and hopes. But through it all, the Wallace family has kept high spirits, tremendous faith and unconditional love up as their shields during their battle.
And they have won.
On Jan. 27, 2016...Malia was declared disease free. She beat the silent killer.
“Malia has always had a calm and humble spirit,” said Cortessa Wallace, Malia’s mother. “Regardless of how sick she would be, she would always smile to let me know that she was in this fight to win.”
For the past 12 years, Malia has lived with and endured the challenges of living with sickle cell. She was given the diagnosis when she was only two weeks old.
“We received a phone call from the Health Department in Yazoo City, and they wanted to send a nurse out to speak to us about Malia’s lab results,” Cortessa said. “The nurse came out to the home and informed us that Malia’s newborn screening test came back and she was diagnosed with Sickle Cell SS.”
At first, Cortessa knew very little about her daughter’s diagnosis. Everything came out of left field for her.
“At the time I knew very little about the disease,” Cortessa said. “Malia was referred to the Childrens Cancer Clinic at UMMC for further treatment. We later learned that Malia had the most severe form of Sickle Cell.”
As new medical terms and treatments quickly entered their lives, Cortessa adjusted to their new way of life. Regardless of how much one can adapt to shocking news, Cortessa struggled daily.
“As a mother I couldn’t fathom the thought of raising a child with an illness,” she said. “Why couldn’t she be normal and live a normal life are just some of the questions I asked myself in 2003 and still do now in 2016. The more I researched this disease and met with her hematologist, I knew that we were in for a fight.”
Through it all Malia remained a loving, playful child. But she was still putting up one heck of a fight.
“She loves to color and dress herself up even if we are going to stay inside the entire day,” Cortessa said. “Malia’s smiles make it easier to get through all of her trials and tribulations.”
Beginning at an early age, Malia had serious complications. Her gallbladder was removed due to gallstones caused by sickle cell anemia.
“Due to Malia requiring strong intravenous medications, her little veins are no longer an option for blood work or IVs when we were admitted into the hospital,” Cortessa added. “Malia had a double lumen port placed in her chest that made it easier for all of her lab draws and IV medications. Due to memory loss, Malia’s doctor ordered an MRI that confirmed she had many strokes on the brain which is another complication of Sickle Cell Anemia.”
The Wallace family went through the motions when it came to medications and treatments but continued praying for Malia to live a normal, happy life.
Then a door opened.
“Malia was granted the option to receive a Bone Marrow Transplant in Nashville, Tenn. with her father Michael Wallace Jr. as her donor in December 2015,” Cortessa said. “Malia was admitted on Dec.18, 2015 and started her chemotherapy regiment to kill her bone marrow on Dec. 19, 2015.”
The bone marrow transplant took place on Dec. 28, 2015 with the collection of cells from her father in the early morning hours. Malia received his marrow the same day.
“After many years of battling Sickle Cell, on Jan. 27, 2016 Malia was officially declared disease free,” Cortessa said.
Cortessa recalls the conversation with her daughter the day they received the good news.
Malia: Ma guess what?
Me: What Malia?
Malia: I’m 100 percent my Daddy.
Me: Huh? 100 percent your Daddy?? (in total shock)
Malia’s Doctor: Yes she is 100 percent donor cells. Malia is officially Sickle Cell free!
“I can honestly say that I can’t ask for anything else in life,” Cortessa adds. “Malia being healed is all I ever desired since 2003.”
The Wallace family continues to adjust with life after sickle cell anemia. Sure, there are obstacles. But now they have more hope behind their small fighter.
“From the first day of diagnosis, I have always hoped that I would live to see my daughter beat this disease,” Cortessa said. “Malia has given me strength to get through some of my toughest days. To witness her conquer what is known to many as ‘The Silent Killer’ is breathtaking. Malia and I would talk all the time about the day she would overcome this illness and be free.”
