Local youngster needs the help of town residents
Published on September 30th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - While Clapp Elementary School students in Woburn are settling into their academic routine, there is one conspicuous empty seat among the lively group of students in Mrs. Freeman's second grade class.
That seat belongs to 7-year-old Meaghan Gallagher who has no time or energy right now to work on her double digit addition and subtraction. Instead of sitting among her peers in the classroom, Meaghan is lying in Children's Hospital fighting leukemia.
"That's the only thing that made her cry," said Meaghan's mother, Elizabeth, recalling Meaghan's reaction upon learning that treatment for her illness would interfere with starting school.
Meaghan's battle began ]just four short weeks ago when Elizabeth Gallagher brought her daughter to the pediatrician for what she remembers as a movement disorder with Meaghan's eyes. Meaghan was initially found to have low iron and was put on iron drops.
Two days later, Meaghan found herself at the Hematology Clinic at Children's Hospital in Boston where a blood work-up was performed. The results of the blood work were confirmed by a subsequent bone marrow biopsy. Meaghan had acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
ALL is a disease where too many underdeveloped, infection fighting white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and blood. This overproduction suppresses the production of normal white cells, red cells and platelets which leads to an increased susceptibility to infection. ALL is the most common form of leukemia in children and the leading type of childhood cancer. Some forms of ALL, such as Meaghan's, spread to the central nervous system.
According to Elizabeth Gallagher, doctors have started Meaghan on a treatment course which includes 4 weeks of chemotherapy, followed by 2 weeks of radiation therapy.
"After 18 weeks, it slows down...We're not sure what that schedule will be," stated Gallagher.
Since Meaghan had not developed any sign of infection following her diagnosis, doctors initially allowed her to go home where, according to her mother, she spent three nice days with her family, including sisters Jacqueline and Alyx and brother Dylan.
A fever did eventually develop and Meaghan was brought back to Children's where doctors put her on antibiotics. She has remained in the hospital and, as of the end of last week, her doctors still could not find the source of the infection that was causing her fever.
Meaghan's family is learning to cope as best it can, given the sudden and devastating upheaval in their lives. Elizabeth and her husband, Kevin, have both taken leaves of absence from their jobs to ensure that one parent is always at Meaghan's side in the hospital while the other stays home with the three other Gallagher children.
Other family members, including Meaghan's grandparents, also help out taking care of the children. Elizabeth stated that she and Kevin have tried to set time aside on Sunday afternoons to spend with Meaghan's siblings.
"It's so hard to have a normal life for the other three right now," their mother said.
While they all miss Meaghan, Elizabeth stated that Meaghan's older sister, Jacqueline, is having a particularly hard time.
"She can't stand to see her being hurt. She misses her," she said.
Perhaps one thing that makes this whole situation so difficult is the suddenness of Meaghan's illness. Looking back over the past few months, however, Elizabeth recalls her daughter having a couple of headaches and just days before visiting the pediatrician, she complained of being very tired.
"She didn't want to walk to her friend's house just around the corner," recalled her mother.
Elizabeth describes her daughter as quiet and sensitive, a little girl who is "smart as a whip" and loves school.
"She's just a good, good kid...She and her sister are always together," said her mother.
While insurance covers the bulk of Meaghan's medical expenses, the financial burden of both parents being temporarily out of work is taking its toll.
To help defray some of the mounting expenses, a dinner dance reception will be held at the Marconi Club on Pine Street in Stoneham on November 7. Any one interested in finding out more about the reception can contact Margaret Gallagher at 438-2444.
A fund has also been established in Meaghan's name at Stoneham Savings Bank to help defray those expenses not covered by insurance. If anyone is interested in contributing, checks may be made out to The Meaghan Gallagher Fund, 72 Central Street, Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180.
Kevin and Elizabeth (Cappozi) Gallagher are both graduates of
Stoneham High School, classes of 1987 and 1986, respectively. Both grew up in Stoneham and have many family members still in town. They are very appreciative of all the support they have received from family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances since Meaghan's ordeal began.
"I couldn't ask for more support...People have been coming out of the woodwork - not even knowing what a sweet, smart kid Meaghan is," said Elizabeth.
Meaghan's prognosis is optimistic. According to Elizabeth, she has a 70 per cent chance of being cured. The medical team treating Meaghan will know more about that prognosis at the 30 day mark at the beginning of October. The current course of treatment is part of a two-year treatment plan which Meaghan is expected to eventually continue on an outpatient basis.
For now, Meaghan continues to put on a brave face and battle on. She currently dons a new, short haircut, made necessary due to the effects of chemotherapy which is causing her hair to fall out. On good days, she spends her time at Children's playing computer games, reading and drawing.
"She understands everything. She took everything so well, even the hair falling out," her mother said.
The only thing Meaghan did not understand, however, was that the two major events in her life, getting sick and starting school, could not happen at the same time.
"She just didn't associate the two," said Elizabeth.
"She's a trooper...We're asking everyone to keep praying. That's all I can say," she said.
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