Chance to dance motivates teen cancer survivor

For her dance recital this year, 13-year-old Elaine Brockhage has traded up from head scarves to a gold crown.

But the Carson Valley cancer survivor has more to smile about than an elevation to royalty.

Today and Saturday, she performs in "Cinderella," the Academy of Dance Arts' 15th anniversary spring concert at the MontBleu theater in Stateline.

On Sunday, Elaine's family commemorates completion of a year of chemotherapy with a "bounce back" party, celebrating her spirit, faith and returning health.

On May 19, as Elaine practiced for her role in "Cinderella," her mother Karen watched with pride.

"There will not be a prouder mother at the recital," she said. "I'm bringing a box of tissues."

A year ago, Elaine danced in her recital just after surgery and six weeks of radiation for a brain tumor which was diagnosed in February 2008.

This year, she is celebrating the end of nine rounds of chemotherapy.

The aggressive treatment for the tumor has taken its toll on her body.

But she was determined to dance, a passion she has loved for more than nine years.

"Dancing has been a part of my life since I was little, and I am not going to let cancer stop that," Elaine said. "It's frustrating that I can't do much, but my mom tells me just to do what I can."

And the instructors at the Academy of Dance Arts " owner and director Kelly O'Fallon and her mother Irma "have pledged to accommodate their fragile ballerina.

Elaine's best friend and ballet buddy, 13-year-old Krystina Caywood, is there to greet her at Gardnerville Ranchos dance studio when she arrives for practice.

"Krystina is a loyal friend, it's nice to have her dancing with me," Elaine said. "Her family even drove to Oakland to visit me after surgery."

Two older dancers, Alex Gemmill, 18, and Brittany Kashuba, 15, volunteered the past year to assist Elaine during class to make sure she was steady on her feet and help her with steps.

"We watch how she stands and make sure she's comfortable," Alex said. "She's part of the studio and we care about her. Just in the last three weeks, we've seen a huge difference in her strength and confidence. It's really neat."

Alex said it was an honor to work with Elaine.

"We don't get to work with kids like her every day," she said.

When the dancers take the stage this weekend, Elaine will stand on her own as Alex is the fairy godmother and Brittany one of Cinderella's stepsisters.

Irma O'Fallon said Elaine has taught as many lessons as she's learned.

"Everyone understands what she's going through," O'Fallon said. "She's a very brave little girl and everyone's very, very supportive.

"She's come a long way. It's been sad what she had to go through, but also what a great lesson to these kids."

Elaine and her family leave June 10 for a trip to Disney World paid for by Make a Wish and Give Kids the World.

"I'm looking forward to fireworks and Expedition Everest," she said.

But first things first.

After this weekend's performances, Elaine's family is celebrating her recovery with a "Bounce Back" Party on Sunday.

She plans to spend the summer getting caught up on school work to get ready for eighth grade at Faith Christian Academy.

"She's really kept up with math and English," Karen Brockhage said.

Her mother has kept family and friends up-to-date with Elaine's progress on the CaringBridge Web site, charting her battles and successes with a feeding tube and efforts to get her weight back up and build up her strength.

More than 300 visitors have left messages in the guest book.

The party Sunday is a celebration and an opportunity to thank people who have supported Elaine, her brother Andrew and her mother and father Don.

In a journal entry May 21, Karen Brockhage wrote: "I feel as though we have come through a dark night, and though God's light does shine brightly in the darkness to keep our hope alive, it feels wonderful to see the morning sun dawning.

"We still have a long road ahead, and there are no guarantees of what the future may bring, but for now we have so much to celebrate!"

SEND A MESSAGE TO ELAINE

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elainebrockhage/guestbook

TICKET INFORMATION

For tickets to The Academy of Dance Arts spring concert, contact the MontBleu ticket office, (775)-588-3515.