Reagan is so sweet. She loves her momma and her family fiercely. She loves animals and YouTube videos. Her sisters make her laugh. She loves wearing her little cowboy boots and loves hotdogs.
Early last year, she was not feeling herself – very lethargic and clingy. She was pale and nothing made her feel better. We went to the doctor’s office for testing and her bloodwork revealed low hemoglobin which prompted us to go to a larger hospital more equipped for handling this situation. It was there we found out she had leukemia.
When she was diagnosed, we lost a good chunk of my income because I had stopped everything to take care of her. We have 4 other children besides her. We struggled hard financially and emotionally. We still do at times, although it is better than it was. Things will never be the same.
Reagan takes on all her treatments and procedures with a smile. If anyone needed any inspiration, all they need to do it look at Reagan and they will find it. She has helped me get through many rough patches.
Julie is strong willed. She loves cooking and Star Wars. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in January of 2018. She didn’t have any odd symptoms – I just felt like something was wrong and feared leukemia. Our pediatrician had the same fear and sent us to the ER. She was diagnosed that day.
She has gone through chemo and a bone marrow transplant. She is immune suppressed so we can’t go anywhere with large crowds.
Our world now revolves around getting her care and treatment; no more work for mom, less time for brother. It is added stress on everyone.
Maverick is so bright. He can light up a room and is the sweetest boy. He loves cars especially the garbage truck and big rigs. He adores his baby sister and loves to see her happy. He likes to make mom and dad laugh and he loves spending time with grandma and grandpa.
In the spring of this year, a rash appeared around his mouth with a high fever 103 – 104 that lasted a week. He went from really energetic to not even wanting to walk or do anything. He was diagnosed with Leukemia the month before his sister was born.
Maverick has gone through lots of chemo, so many different types. We have to stay in the hospital often, at least a week long, with a newborn. To explain the devastation of something like this would take far too many words.
We are constantly anxious, sad, and worried about him. So much so that our newborn doesn’t get the attention she deserves. He isn’t allowed to be in crowds so we can’t take him places that other kids would enjoy like amusement parks playgrounds or swimming pools. I feel that he is robbed so much of what being a little boy should be.
Colton is extremely intellectual and articulate. He loves learning about how things work. He also loves trucks, especially fire trucks. His Make a Wish was to be a firefighter for the day. Silly things make him laugh, and also tickling. He loves pizza, hot dogs, and anything sweet. He loves going to the park or the beach. He loves giving me kisses 🙂
When Colton was 2 years old, he was extremely tired and his tummy was distended. He would sit on the couch all day and not want to play, which was odd for a kid his age. He was seen by his pediatrician who sent us directly to Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed that afternoon with leukemia.
The treatment for leukemia in boys is 3 & 1/2 years. The first month was pure torture on all of us. I stayed with Colton for the first 9 days at the hospital where he got his central line surgically implanted and his first doses of chemo and steroids. He also had a bone marrow biopsy. He takes daily oral chemo, steroids one week every month, and monthly chemo infusions at the hospital.
Our family life is more stressful because of Colton’s meds and doctor schedule, and also because we have to be very careful of germs. Getting sick usually lands us right back at the hospital for a few days. But, our family is also more grateful for each day and thankful for things we would take for granted before all of this happened. We praise God for helping us through.
He, like all cancer kids, is such a fighter. Small but mighty. He has taught me a lot and is my hero!
Ethan can be shy with new people but once he’s comfortable he is funny and a chatter box. He loves everything pokemon.
Ethan woke up one day with severe leg pain. He was screaming and shaking with sheer pain. We had no idea that something was going on. We took him to see his pediatrician that day and they did blood work. We were sent to Texas Children’s the very same day.
Ethan was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was 4 years old. He has gone through more medical procedures and pokes than most adults. He is a fighter and has a family that supports him 100% of the way.
Ethan’s treatments include bone marrow biopsies and aspirates, lumbar punctures (more than we can count with 2 hands), intensive chemotherapy for 10 months, numerous ER visits. He has been on chemo for almost 18 months and still has another 2 years to go.
Normal life went out the door the day of his diagnosis. We have adjusted to our new normal but we continue to face challenges. We can’t wait for the day that Ethan completes his treatment and rings the bell!
