Brooklyn was diagnosed with neuroblastoma on July 27th of 2020. He was having problems going to the bathroom over that last weekend in July. Then he spiked a fever and his stomach was distended on that Monday morning.
After the second stem cell transplant, Brookie got very sick. He developed a side effect from the Autologous Stem Cell Transplant which led him to be in the ICU for 3 weeks on an oscillator. That has been one of the most frightening things we ever experienced.
Brookie returned to the hospital on May 23rd to start a new treatment due to a relapse. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We are truly grateful for everything that God has given to us.
In early 2021, Liv had leg pain, which we thought was growing pains or from tripping down a few stairs. We took her to get X-rays and blood work and found out that same day that she had ALL.
Liv has experienced mental health issues (panic attacks, depression, and anxiety) along with her treatment procedures. Taking medication for Liv Is a struggle and going to the clinic causes her to vomit from panic attacks.
Our daughter went from outgoing to more reserved and anxious. Also, our entire lives revolve around cancer now.
Ellie is wickedly smart and incredibly sarcastic. She makes jokes/puns constantly. She loves harry potter, percy jackson, greek mythology, dungeons and dragons, reading, puzzles, crafts, mysteries, escape rooms, and anything related to becoming a doctor.
Ellie was diagnosed when she was 5 years old and was in treatment through the middle of 3rd grade. She was diagnosed after a month of illness that never went away, loss of appetite, bruising, joint and stomach pain, fatigue, and paleness.
Ellie went through over 2.5 years of chemo: spinal taps, IV chemo, having a port implanted in her chest, shots, and pills (sometimes up to 15 a day). She struggled with an anxiety diagnosis (remains on medication for her treatment-induced anxiety to this day) and was diagnosed with ADHD that resulted from the brain damage done from the intrathecal chemo she was given. Ellie struggled with physical issues such as neuropathy, weight gain, and muscle weakness. She has worked hard on these things and is doing well.
We are doing well now, but it was extremely hard on the family, particularly Ellie’s sisters. Even 7 years since diagnosis and almost 5 years off treatment, we are still discovering ways that Ellie’s sisters and us (parents) deal with post-traumatic stress.
March of this year marked 5 years off treatment and she is now a long-term survivor of childhood cancer. She has been counting down to this milestone for 5 years!
Emma was diagnosed right before the pandemic hit in January 2020. She was in Pre-K and kept coming home exhausted. She looked pale and stopped eating. We took her to get blood work done and they called the next morning (Sunday) and told us to go to the nearest ER that second.
Before her diagnosis, Emma was not eating, was super pale, had night sweats, and had on/off fevers prior to diagnosis. I just thought she was going to get the stomach virus, but I happened to have a script for her to get blood work done and took her (1/11/20) Saturday morning. We were called to go to the nearest ER early Sunday morning (1/12/20). She started chemotherapy on 1/15/20 after non-stop fevers and numerous attempts at getting successful blood transfusions.
This has brought us closer, made us worried, cry more, stronger, more appreciative of each other, and more patient…. I could go on and on.
Emma has shown strength beyond words since she was diagnosed at age 4. She’s now 6 and finishing up treatment in March. She deserves the world. We love her more than words can express.
Aiden is a very active 4-year-old. He is very smart, funny, strong, and brave. He has beautiful energy and spirit. He loves Hulk and the Avengers.
It was normal for Aiden to have some bruises on his shins due to his level of consistent activity. However, in the first week of June, my husband and I started to notice more, different, looking bruises, in odd places for bruises. Like any mom, I immediately scheduled an appointment with our pediatrician, and while we were there, his pediatrician ordered blood work, as a precaution. Aiden sat and watched the blood being taken from his arm like a champ, and we joked that he definitely didn’t get his weak stomach from his Mom who has all kinds of uneasiness and lightheadedness with anything medical-related, including bloodwork. Later that evening after being at the pediatrician earlier that day, we noticed another bruise, on his stomach, and felt bumps underneath the skin. Now, I panicked and began feverishly googling what it could be to give myself a diagnosis, but came up empty-handed because the only symptom was bruising.
The next morning, June 8th, my stomach was turning, still unsettled about what I had googled, what it could be…blood disorder, or something worse. So, I turned to my husband, and said, “I’m taking Aiden to the ER”. And at that exact moment, my cell phone rang, it was Aiden’s pediatrician, telling me to get to Phoenix Children’s Hospital ER right away, as his white blood cell count was at 80,000. After hours of tests at Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH), my worst fear became a reality, as Aiden was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and was on a high-risk protocol due to his white blood cells being over 50,000 at admission.
Aiden has been just like The Hulk through it all. From starting out being very anxious, nervous, and shy, to slowly adjusting to his weekly clinic visits for chemotherapy, getting his vitals taken, and his blood and platelet transfusions. He still does not like getting his port dressing changed, but who would! He thinks physical therapy is fun! Needless to say, Aiden has taught us to live in the present and focus on each day as its own, new day. Aiden’s beautiful spirit, happiness, silliness, and strong-willed character fills our hearts with joy every single day.
We remain strong and optimistic that Aiden will make a full recovery, and are extremely grateful for all of the love, prayers, and support we have received from so many of you. Words cannot express our gratitude.
