First grader battles serious illness

A young Pike County student has been battling a serious illness at Egleston and underwent surgery Thursday, Sept. 17. No definitive diagnosis has been made. Leland Shoemake, a first grader at Pike County Primary School student, has been hospitalized more than a week and those concerned can follow his progress at the Prayers for Leland facebook page. A gofundme.com account titled Help for Leland has been set up to help the family with medical expenses. ’Leland is so strong and has been so brave,’ said his mother Amber Shoemake. ‘He has several teams of multiple doctors working with him and treating him. He’s on 10 different medications and they all have terrible side effects. The thing we ask for most is prayers for fast healing, smart doctors, less pain, and no long term effects.’A note was sent home to primary school students from principal Sheryl Watts. ‘We are aware of various sicknesses in our school such as strep and sinusitis and also that one student is currently hospitalized,’ she said. ‘Although there is not confirmation of an official diagnosis, we continue to clean and disinfect the building in an effort to keep all students from becoming ill and missing school.’Leland has a 1-year-old brother named Logan. To help the family, go to gofundme.com/lelandshoemake.’Please continue to pray for our boy. So many of you have offered to help and we are so thankful to have such wonderful family and friends,’ said Shoemake.