Isabella was born on February 14, 2021—my perfect little Valentine. From the very beginning, her life has been full of challenges. Just a few days after she was born, Isabella had her first hospital admission, followed by another at just a few weeks old. We spent all of 2022 and most of 2023 inside the hospital, often for weeks at a time without ever leaving.
Over the next three years, she endured more than 30 hospital admissions, many of which required multiple rounds of IV antibiotics to fight severe infections. She’s had pneumonia more times than I can count, six ear surgeries, countless ear infections, and every virus under the sun. Our life felt like a constant emergency, with endless trips to the emergency room, hospital stays, and specialists trying to uncover what was causing her body to struggle so much.
I remember begging the emergency room doctor to please figure out what was wrong with my little girl. I carried a 500-page binder filled with every medical record, hospital visit, and test result into the ER, hoping someone would see the pattern and give us the answers we desperately needed.
Isabella contracted a severe strep infection, which triggered something called PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). The infection caused swelling in her brain, leading to severe behavioral problems and seizure-like tics that no one could explain. Even after seeing a neurologist, we were left without answers. This strep infection hit her little body hard and took months to fully recover from its devastating effects.
Still not fully recovered from the strep infection, everything changed when Saint Peter’s Hospital diagnosed Isabella with a dangerous infection called Mastoiditis, an infection inside her skull that required surgery. Her doctors quickly realized how serious her condition was and decided she needed specialized care. She was immediately transferred to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where we finally got answers: Isabella would need weeks of specifically tailored IV antibiotics to fight the specific infection in her body and Isabella was diagnosed with a Primary Immune Deficiency.
Primary Immune Deficiency is a lifelong condition that affects Isabella’s ability to fight off infections. It impacts many parts of her body, including her lungs, GI system, ears, sinuses, skin, and even her ability to heal from wounds. Everyday illnesses—even something as simple as a cold or an allergic reaction—can become serious and potentially life-threatening for her.
To keep her as healthy as possible, Isabella receives IVIG treatments every four weeks at CHOP. IVIG therapy provides antibodies her body can’t make on its own. Each treatment day is long and difficult, but Isabella faces it with incredible bravery and strength.
We are incredibly thankful for the amazing team of specialists at CHOP, who continue to provide the best care possible. They’ve helped Isabella through countless procedures, tests, and treatments, always with compassion and expertise.
Despite everything she’s been through, Isabella is strong, resilient, and full of life. She’s our little warrior, and we’re so proud of how far she’s come. I truly believe God has a reason for everything, and we are beyond grateful for The Shannon Daley Memorial Fund for supporting families like ours during difficult times.