Young cancer survivor makes smooth transition to middle school

At 14, Elaine Brockhage is doing her best to look like any other ninth-grader at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School.

After battling brain cancer for more than two years, she is happy to be just one of the crowd.

Elaine switched to Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School in August from Faith Christian Academy as the small private school did not go past eighth grade.

The transition has been smooth for Elaine who was delighted to get reacquainted with her former classmates from Scarselli.

"Before I got sick, I was in public school, and my friends were all here," she said.

Elaine is taking a full class load that includes weight training, Spanish, math, English, biology and speech.

Her physical limits from the cancer and treatment precluded some PE electives but she said girls weight training has been very beneficial as she works up to 27-pound weights.

"It's good to work on my strength. Gradually, I am noticing a change," she said.

Elaine said she was concerned about being able to cover the distance in class changes at a middle school with just over 600 students.

"I was worried about being run over by the other kids, but they watch out for me," she said.

Working with principal Keith Lewis and counselor Melissa Goodwater, Elaine's mother Karen was able to work out a schedule that accommodates the teenager's needs.

"I'm getting all my work done," Elaine said. "With the whole speed issue, they give me extra time to get to classes."

Biology teacher Danita Anderson said Elaine's hard work in her class was paying off.

"She's amazing," Anderson said. "The quality of her work is exceptional. She always makes sure she understands what she's doing."

"Pau-Wa-Lu has just been wonderful," Karen Brockhage said. "I am so pleased with how responsive they've been and how happy they are to have her there. We're fortunate to have such a good public school.

"When we first went in last spring to talk to Elaine's counselor, Melissa Goodwater, we were so impressed with how much she knew already, about Elaine and (brother) Andrew," Brockhage said. "She's done a lot to get everyone on the same page and I truly appreciate it. She has a good sense of humor and she made us feel so comfortable."

Elaine was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February 2008, shortly after her 12th birthday.

She underwent surgery and rounds of procedures at Children's

Hospital Oakland and Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.

In November, the Brockhages received the news they continue to pray for: An MRI showed Elaine was cancer-free.

The family keeps friends up-todate with Elaine's progress on a CaringBridge website that has drawn more than 22,000 visits.

She still deals with medical issues, undergoing eye exercises 30 minutes a day and six-month checkups.

"We're still coming out of it," Karen Brockhage said. "We're so grateful how well she is doing."

Elaine's return to Pau-Wa-Lu means a lot to her brother Andrew, a 13-year-old eighth-grader.

"It's great for him," Karen Brockhage said. "He has his friend back. They're only 17 months apart."

Also standing by Elaine is her friend Taylor Tingley, 15.

"Taylor is a friend from Scarselli and she was there waiting the first day of school to walk Elaine to lunch," Karen Brockhage said. "She was so excited to have Elaine come back. All the kids have been really nice."

Throughout her treatment, Elaine has kept up with dancing which she began at age 31⁄2. She is a student at All About Dance and recently performed in a holiday program.

Elaine also participates in the High Sierra Fellowship church youth group.

At school, science is her favorite subject.

When Elaine thinks about a career, her interest is drawn toward medical scientist or researcher. Part of it is because of her experiences since her cancer diagnosis.

"It sounds really fun to be able to solve problems and think up experiments," she said.

Elaine doesn't mind answering questions about what she's been through.

"I see how lucky we are to have certain things," she said. "Kids just want to live their lives and do normal things."

There have been "why me?" days and weeks, but Karen Brockhage said her daughter hasn't become self-absorbed.

"I'm so blessed by her. She still has her faith. Something like this either cements it or shatters it.

Elaine trusts God more than she ever has," Karen Brockhage said.