CLARK COUNTY — Ten-year-old Haleigh Snider-Cooley knows a thing or two about survival. In her young life, the Georgetown fifth-grader has already fought cancer back into remission, not a small task.

But Haleigh’s story doesn’t end there. Although cancer free, she continues to suffer intense physical pain.

For the past six weeks, Haleigh has been hospitalized — first at Kosair Children’s Hospital, then at Indianapolis’ Riley Children’s Hospital — from pain caused by muscle spasms. Chemotherapy treatments most likely caused the condition.

Heavily medicated to combat the discomfort, she spends about an hour a day awake. During this time, her grandma and guardian, Susan Snider Bonnet, reads and plays games with her. Teachers, family and other friends visit and offer a welcome respite from the tediousness.

Haleigh wasn’t always sick. She grew up playing and laughing as most toddlers do. That was before the 2008 diagnosis; the one that told Haleigh’s family that she had acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). According to the American Cancer Society, this blood malignancy accounts for three out of four leukemia cases in children. With a 90 percent survival rate for juveniles, Haleigh’s prognosis remained good. A series of chemotherapy treatments pounded her cells, both cancerous and healthy, with a toxic cocktail. Thankfully, the medicine worked, and in 2010, the leukemia entered into remission. Her family and friends breathed a sigh of relief.

Since her initial diagnosis and subsequent remission, Haleigh has continued to go to school and participate in different activities. Two years ago, I met Haleigh when she and my oldest son were classmates. Just this past school year, she danced in our school talent show and joined the Newbery Book Club.

Everyone knows Haleigh, not because she was the kid who had cancer, but because of her good heart, sweet smile and reassuring hugs. She taught the students that obstacles can be overcome. While the cancer treatments at first took her hair and some of her energy, they never stole her perseverance and positive attitude.

That’s not to say the road to recovery has come easily. Unable to travel due to a blood clot near her heart caused by the chemo port, Haleigh has not been able to go to Disney World, the trip Make-A-Wish Foundation granted and will fund. She’s on blood thinners full time in an attempt to dissolve the mass.

Likewise, her pancreas and kidneys suffered damage and had started to shut down. Even though both organs work properly now, she still experiences powerful migraine headaches along with cloudiness called “chemo brain” due to the after effects of the life-saving medicine.

At the beginning of May, a new pain started. As her fellow fourth-graders readied themselves for their elementary graduation, Haleigh prepared herself for an extended hospital stay. Due to the pain, she rarely gets out of her bed. Her body has begun to break down. She’s lost both weight and muscle, and now must undergo physical therapy at Riley.

Doctors continue to try and find ways to release the muscle spasms, but so far, nothing has been successful. New treatments will begin soon, and hopefully will provide some reprieve. Doctors have discussed moving her to Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, but no definitive plans have been made.

In the meantime, Haleigh waits. Grandma Susan asks only for prayers. She said she credits those with helping Haleigh in the tough times before. She’s trying to purchase a used Kindle Fire so she may play games and read e-books, but money is tight.

Although insurance covers her hospitalization, it does not cover hotel costs for her grandmother. To save funds and provide constant emotional support, Susan sleeps in Haleigh’s hospital room nightly. She asked that anyone who might have a used Kindle for sale to please contact her at 812-989-0814.

For those wanting to help Haleigh, Susan suggests sending her an e-postcard through the Riley Hospital website. Although placed electronically, the hospital hand-delivers a printed card to the addressed patient. Her spirit always brightens when a new message arrives.

Check out the Riley website at www.iuhealth.org/riley/for-patients-and-families/patient-postcards to send Haleigh a note of support. She’ll truly appreciate it.

Haleigh knows not only how to survive, but also how to fight. Hopefully soon, this new battle will be over. In the meantime, all her friends and family await the victorious champion’s return.

— Amanda Beam is a Floyd County resident and Jeffersonville native. Contact her by email at hoosiermandyblog@gmail.com or visit her blog at HoosierMandy.com.