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DES MOINES, Iowa — Isola Erskine is a six-year-old girl from Des Moines that developed a type of leukemia, officially diagnosed back in January. On Saturday afternoon Erskine got an escort home fit for a queen.

“This is what you hope and pray for,” said Julie Herrstrom, Erskine’s grandmother from Luther. “We had so many people put her on their prayer chain all over the state she was on prayer chains, and just watching the power of prayer, having that hope this would happen.”

Des Moines Police escorted Erskine home, with all of her family, friends, and neighbors lining the block cheering that she’s back where she belongs after seven months away.

“You hear about heroes all the time,” said Sergeant Paul Parizek with DMPD. “And you look at what she’s gone through for the last seven months, you know, and the road to recovery. That’s inspirational for anybody that knows that story then sees her walking around in this yard. It’s a great day for all of us.”

Erskine was experiencing health issues a year ago which then developed into leukemia, which forced her and her parents to stay up in Minneapolis for her treatment.

“She’s been up there since January and we couldn’t see her from January to March, any of them (her parents),” said Herrstrom. “And so we were taking care of the other kids. And we got to go see her on Easter, that was our blessing to see her for the first time.”

There were multiple transplants that were unsuccessful, with the family hoping for one more shot.

“And she had two transplants that did not work, and they weren’t sure they were going to do another one. So that was very hard to hear. Then they decided they could do one more and that one worked. So today is the first time she’s been home since January,” said Herrstrom.

And now a six-year-old can now act six again, at her own home.

“She is spunky but very tender-hearted. She’s got such an old soul,” said Herrstrom. “She can make you laugh with just one look. But she can be so emotional. She just has the biggest crocodile tears, you know? But she’s always thinking of helping others. She’s that kid.”