Pictures for a friend

By Julia LeDouxJanuary 30, 2015

Pictures for a friend
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pictures for a friend
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Elsie Abuhl had a lot on her mind the morning of Jan. 19. In addition to her regular day of learning and play at Cody Child Development Center on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, she had something very important to ask her classmates.

Sitting in a circle surrounded by her classmates, the 3-year-old explained that her friend Jen is sick and that she wanted to do something to cheer her up while she's in the hospital.

"We can paint," Elsie exclaimed when her teacher Kerryann Barr, lead caregiver/preschool teacher, asked her what the class can do.

Elsie's mom, Courtney, a Military District of Washington civilian employee, explained that Air Force wife Jennifer Doherty is in the fight of her life and is battling acute myeloid leukemia. Doherty underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant Jan. 23 and is expected to remain in the hospital for about a month.

"She's had a lot of ups and downs during her battle," Courtney explained. "I've lost track of how many rounds of chemo she's gone through, how many surgeries she's had and awful days she's endured."

Doherty was diagnosed with the disease two years ago, but that did not stop her from training for and running her first half marathon while going through treatment, Courtney said.

"She's had a few really close calls and hospitalizations, but she has rebounded," she said. "She's the epitome of resilient, at least in my eyes."

Courtney said even while battling cancer, Doherty has stepped in to help take care of Elsie when she's needed her to.

"Elsie loves Jen, her husband Jay and their daughter, Angela, and their dogs," she continued. "We spend a lot of time with them. At this point, Elsie doesn't realize how much her funny personality helps lift Jen's spirit when she's feeling down."

Courtney said Jen's emotions have been "all over the place" and that she's asked her friends and family for a very few things, including children's artwork to decorate her hospital room.

"That's why Elsie decided to ask her friends at school to help her make pictures for Jen," she said. "Elsie knows Jen is sick, and just likes to help cheer her up. So, drawing pictures is the least we can do to help our friends."

The children used finger paints and crayons to draw pictures of houses, the sun, themselves and a variety of animals for Doherty.

"When you're in the military community and you're away from family, you rely heavily on your friends," said Courtney. "Jen, Jay and Angela are more than just friends. They're family."