Shiner community becomes troops in ‘Ainsley’s Army’

On February 15, the McCord family was faced with news that takes a normal day and turns it into one filled with fear in the unanswered questions as to why their daughter, Ainsley’s, tummy ache maybe something much more serious.
As the family headed to Texas Children’s Hospital, they immediately began to feel the strength of the friends and family who answered the call to pray.  
The results of the ultrasound did show a mass which meant further tests and continued prayers were needed. 
No doubt the whole process became overwhelming and exhausting not just for Ainsley but for her tired and worried parents.  
Ainsley began feeling the love of her army very quickly with answered prayers, sweet messages, cards, snacks, and activities to keep her busy. 
Ainsley’s mom, Jamie shared how they were awe struck in the amount of love and support shown from gift baskets, door dash cards, Venmo donations, gift cards and amazing goodies showered upon their family and Ainsley.
Ainsley, a very outgoing child, still managed to find herself bored very quickly and took time to explore the hospital and wait for visits from her brother, Ayden, and sister, Amery.  Riding the escalator was another daily activity that took away some of the anxiety and boredom.  
Ainsley stated that the best part of her hospital stay was knowing that she was in the best place possible and that the doctors were doing everything they could to find out what was wrong with her. 
She shared how everyone was so nice and felt honored that her anesthesiologist gave her a medal from one of his races he ran. One of her nurses found out about Ainsley’s dream of becoming a pediatrician and gave her a stethoscope. 
Ainsley’s army continued to grow and to show up for her with get well cards and gifts from different school classrooms and organizations.  
Ainsley shared how she feels blessed and thankful for all the prayers and support and wants everyone to know how much she loves them. 
Further tests continued to be performed to provide the doctors with answers.  The doctors were pleased to provide Ainsley and her family some news that may have not been a huge shock to them, but the doctors said Ainsley is one in a million. 
Ainsley is special and this was not news to them, but what followed was incredible news. Her diagnosis of a ganglioneuroma and the chance of getting this is rare-1 in a million.  The majority of neuroblastic tumors are malignant but not Ainsley’s; hers is benign and further tests continued to provide the best news possible showing that there is only one tumor.  
Jamie shared that her and husband Brian always recognized how fortunate they were to have healthy children with only minor illnesses and could never imagine that they would be faced with a situation like this. They weren’t sure that they would be strong enough to handle.  
Jamie feels their true strength comes from everyone’s love, support, and prayers is not only what is getting them through but gave them the outstanding news that Ainsley’s tumor was benign.
Days are still hard and as the family prepares for the upcoming procedure and hospital stay, they lean on the strength and bravery Ainsley herself radiates and the comfort in knowing God has a plan and he will see them through this.  
Ainsley is scheduled for surgery on March 27 which she is not too happy about because it happens to be her brother’s birthday, but she is also ready to put this behind her. 
Ainsley shared how she looks forward to getting back to the gym and tumbling again.  The surgery will require another stay in the hospital but there is no doubt her army will not let her be bored.
Being from a small town just means everyone is family and no one fights alone. Ainsley’s aunt Stacy, put together a t-shirt fundraiser which is a two-fold support for Ainsley.  Money made from the shirts will go to the family to help offset unexpected medical costs and those who purchased t-shirts will proudly wear their shirts on March 27th in solidarity with Ainsley and proud members of her army. 
Stacy, along with Hana Lehnert, has a short window to sell so that the t-shirts would be ready in time for surgery day.  
The community did not skip a beat in their showering of support and with just a few days to sell they sold over 300 t-shirts.  The family would like to thank each member of Ainsley’s army from the bottom of their hearts for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers, and support shown to Ainsley and their family during this time.  
Eight-year-old Ainsley is a third grade student at St. Ludmila Elementary.
Just knowing they have such amazing people in their corner has made each step of their journey a little easier.