Hazel is a princess but she also likes zombies and “scary” stuff – she gets that from her dad. She likes to color and is very curious and likes science. She is basically just like her dad but loves dresses and cute animals and Disney Princesses.
Hazel was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in September 2020. She had a rash, bruises, and swollen lymph nodes. I took her in to the doctor in July but was told it was probably a virus. I emailed multiple times that she wasn’t getting better. Finally, I insisted on seeing her doctor and she was diagnosed and immediately hospitalized.
She has had chemo for almost two years which includes LPs (lumbar punctures) and steroids. We have been very isolated and I have not been able to work. Hazel is still a little weak and her balance is sometimes off.
Cancer has changed our lives, and in some ways, we are closer than ever. We have learned to lean on each other.
As life-changing as this has been, it has been a pretty typical journey as far as treatment goes, I think. She has had two hospitalizations besides the initial stay when she was diagnosed. She finishes treatment November 4th.
Mya loves to paint and likes to laugh at her silly brother. She is shy at first but warms up quickly. She loves books, stickers, and coloring.
Mya was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in September of 2022. Prior to her diagnosis, she had a lump on her skull. After a biopsy, we received the devastating diagnosis of leukemia.
Mya has had chemo, many hospitalizations, and spinal taps. We also found out she has a clot in her brain and she eventually stopped walking. We drive three hours one way just to get to the Children’s hospital, sometimes more than once a week. Because of the intensity of treatments we have missed a lot of work.
Jill has been the most positive person throughout everything. She is full of life and energy. She loves the beach. She enjoys family outings and to help where she can. She is very spunky, is a foodie, and is a collector of Disney Doorables and Squismallows.
Jill was originally diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2017 and relapsed in 2020. She was on vacation and out of state when she initially became sick. When she returned home, she had lost weight, was pale, and not eating or being active. When she relapsed it was in her spinal fluid- this time affecting her optic nerves leaving her legally blind.
She had had very aggressive chemo through her port and central line and has had multiple surgeries and transfusions along with many hospital stays. It has been hard emotionally and financially.
In many ways, my oldest child became depressed because I was always with Jill. I took Jill to all of her appointments, weekly for 5 years. It became a financial burden, traveling a total of 100 miles each time.
Since 2017, we went through Jill’s diagnosis, a divorce, and losing everything to Hurricane Harvey. I was also diagnosed with breast cancer, and Jill relapsed and became blind, all amid the COVID pandemic. Through Faith in Jesus, we have overcome everything.
Joey is super active and likes to play outside. He plays Fortnite, rides bikes, and loves Pizza and his tablet.
Joey was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August of 2021. He is currently in treatment and is in remission.
In the time leading up to his diagnosis, he was having nonstop fevers for no reason. He had a fever for about 2 months straight, lost his appetite, and became very weak in his legs to the point where I had to carry him. I am much more relieved now as I know how to help him and is doing awesome!
Treatment hasn’t changed Joey whatsoever – he’s a super active 4-year-old boy even after chemo and LP. He acts as if nothing happened. Our biggest struggle, for now, is as the gas prices go up it’s getting hard to make it to each appointment.
This experience has made me value life and everyone around me, especially Joey.
Ashton loves to learn – he is a total nerd! He loves all animals, dinosaurs and books. He loves every Jurassic park movie and we hope to take him in June to see the latest one. He has been wanting to go to Sea World to see ocean animals so that is a new goal I have for us.
Ashton was diagnosed with Leukemia in November of 2021. As of July, he kept getting sick 1-2 times a month and we kept being told it was a viral infection. He was negative for COVID, flu and strep . One morning after he had seen the doctor the week prior I saw the bruising and petechiae on his skin and in the back of my mind I instantly knew. I Knew his diagnosis before the ER told me. He was rushed to the hospital with a Hemoglobin of 4 . He also had rhino virus. P flu, and the start of pneumonia.
Ashton has been getting chemo weekly at infusion but he also gets oral chemo every night. I, as mom (a nurse) can’t work right now because I have to stay home with him and my 1 year old. Ashton is immunocompromised and I can’t and don’t feel right having him back in school yet with other kids who are constantly sick. We are on the tighter end of things financially because I don’t work and we have been waiting to hear back from medicare for disability.
The doctor gave him the OK to be with others who are not sick but not closed in with large crowds either. His knees tend to hurt some days so he doesn’t walk far. He also has an NG tube for meds, hydration and food. I see this world as a much dirtier place now so I am constantly cleaning, especially when his blood counts are low. He got sick once and I don’t ever want him to get sick again due to germs around him.
When Ashton was diagnosed he shouldn’t have been walking. He was feeling so bad on the inside but he wouldn’t let on. On the outside he seemed fine. He was tired but fine. He is honestly a warrior, a fighter and my inspiration.
Malakai is so funny and silly. He has the best attitude towards life and having fun. He is usually wiping my tears telling me everything will be ok. He loves video games and playing with his cousin and friends.
Malakai was diagnosed with ALL in 2019. He has an extremely aggressive subtype and did not respond to Induction chemo. He went on to have his first bone marrow transplant in 2019 from his baby brother. His baby brother was only one year old at the time. In 2021 he relapsed and then had another bone marrow transplant from his father. We have had to live away from home for months at a time with hospital admissions that lasted as long as 3 months. We just found out he has relapsed again in September 2022. We are now looking into a clinical trial for CART-t therapy.
Before Malakai was diagnosed, he was experiencing bone pain, fevers, and petechia. My gut knew something was wrong. After multiple doctor appointments and ER visits, he was finally diagnosed.
Malakai has been in treatment on and off since 2019. My husband and I have barely kept it together. One of us had to constantly stop working. This has been extremely hard for his brother and financially as a family.
