Patient stories: Alexis McKay, from fighting cancer to CAMP KEMO and beyond

Alexis McKay, age 15, lives in Sumter, SC, and was always healthy aside from the occasional cold or sniffle. That changed the day her mother Lachell Ellerbe received a call from school letting her know that Alexis had a headache.

“By the time I got to the school, they had called for an ambulance to come and get her,” said Lachell. “When I first saw her in the hospital, she was already on a ventilator with a chest tube. She had surgery maybe two or three days after she arrived.”

The resulting diagnosis of Grade IV Glioma was devastating. Alexis was treated by pediatric oncologist Stuart Cramer, MD, with Prisma Health Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Columbia, while pediatric neurosurgeon Catherine McClung-Smith, MD, performed her brain surgery.

Alexis endured rounds of radiation, chemotherapy and physical therapy after her tumor caused her to have a stroke. Since then, she’s been able to participate in Make-A-Wish and gone through a lengthy recovery.

“Alexis was always a fighter,” Lachell said. “She never complained. We had a great experience with her doctors and the whole team. The staff was amazing, they kept us well-informed and answered all of our questions. They were very supportive and caring.”

CAMP KEMO has been a bright spot in her life ever since her first time attending. This is Alexis’s 4^th year attending the camp. She’s had her younger brother, Ahlijah, attend CAMP KEMO with her every year, and her older brother Aamarion has gone with her as well. This year will be her five-year-old sister Arii’s first year experiencing CAMP KEMO.

“I love the crafts part of camp,” said Alexis. “Last time we made a foosball table using a cardboard box with holes in it. We got to decorate the box and used clothespins and skewers to create the ‘team’. I also love the sing-alongs.”

Alexis’s mother Lachell has found CAMP KEMO an incredible experience for her children. “I love CAMP KEMO for them! They go and have fun, meet new people and Alexis gets to be with kids, and to be a kid. I wish she could go every year, but I know she’s getting older now, so she can’t go so much. I think this year, maybe next year will be her last year, but I’m glad her siblings got to experience it with her.”

Alexis is heading into her sophomore year at Lakewood High School. She loves art and has big plans for her future, including entrepreneurship.

Prisma Health is here for our community beyond diagnosis, treatment and recovery. CAMP KEMO is just one way we offer connection and the chance for our most vulnerable patients to have their day in the sun outside the medical setting. We’re not just here to heal; Prisma Health is here for good.