Finding Strength in Community: The Ward Family's Journey

The Ward Family. Photo credit: Karen Ward

What do you turn to when despair strikes your family? When the devastation takes your breath away? Karen Ward turns to her faith and the strength in community. Karen and Justin Ward have three beautiful girls together, Tenley, Adley, and Caselyn. In December of 2018, Tenley was two years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The family, from Hodgenville, Kentucky, moved temporarily to Cincinnati for treatment at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. 

At four years old, Tenley relapsed and had to receive a bone marrow transplant. After years of treatment and blood transfusions, the family was preparing to go back home. The day they were packing, Adley was diagnosed with the exact same cancer. She was just three years old. The Ward’s had to start their journey all over again, focused on saving Tenley and Adley, while raising Caselyn, who was a newborn baby at the time.

“[Talking about the support] makes me cry. I’m from a small town. Larue county. Full of wonderful people. Above and beyond. In that time, we could have asked for the world, and it would have been delivered to the hospital,” said Karen. Tenley needed to receive blood immediately. “We knew she needed blood and we thought it would be an easy thing. It turned out, she was A-. There was no A- blood anywhere in a radius that would get to us quick enough for when she needed it… It’s a horrible feeling when it’s your child. You want to be able to get them whatever they need,” said Karen. Thankfully, Tenley was able to take the RhoGAM shot to receive a transfusion with a different blood type.

Tenley with Karen.
Photo credit: Karen Ward

Tenley developed a brain injury after her bone marrow transplant. “Tenley had lost all motor function. She couldn’t walk, talk or move her facial features to let you know she was sad, happy, angry. She couldn’t drink or eat… She was in a gait trainer and a wheelchair. It was a long road,” Karen said. 

Tenley and Adley both needed whole blood and platelet transfusions to survive. Platelets are most often used during cancer treatment for blood clotting. “We’ve had lots of transfusions… For us, it became almost a daily thing. My children wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for people who were willing to donate.” Combined, the girls received over 100 blood product transfusions during treatment. 

The family was persevering through prayer. “Because of our faith, we never doubted our kids were going to get better. I think it’s because God protected us from some of that. I remember when Tenley was first diagnosed. The room was quiet, I was at the end of her bed. I told God, you have to take it because it’s too heavy. There were days that were sad and hard. But I never felt hopeless,” said Karen.

Caselyn has had a unique upbringing, as a village of caretakers helped fill in for Karen and Justin when they were needed at the hospital. Karen became emotional discussing Caselyn, as there were times she wanted alone time with her new baby. She didn’t get to share the newborn bonding time with her. “She’s grown up different which she understands and embraces. She was born during the hardest time of our life… God has a way of working all those things out. This child has always been loved. She has been wrapped up in every way possible since she was born.”

Tenley and Adley.
Photo credit: Karen Ward

The community support for the family never wavered. “It makes you so proud of the people here [in Larue county]. They have carried us when we couldn’t walk… I can’t even remember how many blood drives in honor of the girls were put on with huge showings of people. People who signed up for the bone marrow registry because of Tenley and Adley. People started doing fundraisers, there were shirts made. We had a family who donated a wheelchair to Tenley,” said Karen.

Karen said the best part of their story was the inspiration the girls gave people. “I feel like the girls have had a huge impact on a lot of people. The most important ones are people who said ‘My family didn’t really pray before your girls were sick. Now, we pray together every night.’ I feel like if that was the purpose, then it was worth it.” Karen shared many people who were nervous to give blood overcame their fear in honor of the girls.

Tenley, Adley, and Caselyn are currently at home and happy, trying to live with a bit more routine and stability. Tenley developed epilepsy after her brain injury and experiences 5-10 seizures per day. Karen expressed after cancer, “Life doesn’t move on. It’s part of your daily life. She’s happy and that’s what’s most important to us.” Tenley and Adley both do gymnastics and Adley is starting cheer classes, while Caselyn recently started T-ball. Tenley loves music and coloring. The sisters share a tight bond, ganging up on mom and dad when they try to discipline them.

Tenley, Adley, and Caselyn.
Photo credit: Karen Ward

Karen praised Justin, saying he was born to be a girl dad. He’s the perfect balance for Karen, and they give each other strength when the days get exhausting. “Some people say, ‘We don’t know how you all have done it.’ I say, what choice do you have when it’s your kids? You’re going to do whatever you can. We wouldn’t have been able to endure this without our family and the community.” 

You can help people like the Ward family by donating blood. Schedule an upcoming appointment at our Stars, Stripes and Pints blood drive in Louisville! Go to redcrossblood.org and enter code: HERO. You can keep up with Tenley and Adley by following the “Ward Warriors” Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/teamtenleyiamthestorm/

The Ward Family. Photo credit: Karen Ward