Christopher had swollen lymph nodes and a stomach ache. I took him to his pediatrician the day I noticed his lymph nodes, it was the Sunday before Christmas in 2015, and we got an antibiotic. Then, we went back and saw an allergy pa and got another antibiotic. The next week went to his ent. He was given an antibiotic (again!) After four weeks, we went back and saw another one of his pediatricians and finally she felt it was a red flag. We went in to get a chest X-ray, then a biopsy the following day and while we were waiting, we went up to talk to a pediatric oncologist and he got a finger prick which showed his wbc was extremely high, mostly cancer cells. We were admitted that day to Brenner Children’s Hospital and he went into remission in Feb. 2016 and has been in treatment, now at East TN children’s oncology. He just finished his treatment plan!
Christopher lost all his hair and has had many side effects- pain, nausea, upset stomach, no appetite. We had to move away from everyone and everything we knew a month after his diagnosis. That was stressful, along with some financial burden and my son missing half of kindergarten and first grade. It affects you emotionally, psychologically, and, socially.
He is very strong, brave, courageous and resilient! He is a superhero that has come through hell and still here, still going strong!
When Tyler was 2 1/2 years old, he was getting a lot of bruises and then he got an ear infection that wouldn’t go away. After an extremely high fever, we took him back to the pediatrician. I remember thinking there had to be something more going on. After labs were taken, we got the diagnosis of Leukemia. My stomach sank.
He started chemotherapy soon after. We were living at the hospital while he was receiving treatment. When they checked his counts, he didn’t reach remission. The doctors had to rethink his treatment plan and we had to look at other options because chemotherapy wasn’t going to save him.
We got in touch with the bone marrow transplant team. We had to find a match for him. Thank goodness we got a call that a match had been found. Even then, I tried not to get too excited because even though he had match, would he say yes? Well he did!
We prayed for a successful transplant. He came through beautifully! The doctors and I were amazed at his recovery. He was 100% of the cells of his donor.
I wanted to know who the donor was. I wanted to thank him. I sent him a card and told him that I appreciated everything he had done for us and how he saved our little boy.
Then one day, my phone rang. It was Ralph, Tyler’s bone marrow donor. I immediately started crying. We arranged to meet in person and thanking him in person means so much.
Lilly is my girly girl. She loves all things sparkly and pink. She has received a couple princess yarn wigs which she wears all the time. Lilly is sweet and kind and so thoughtful of others. She is also my art girl, loving all things arts and crafts.
Lilly was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on August 20, 2018. Prior to her diagnosis she was experiencing leg pain, low grade fevers and fatigue – all common Leukemia symptoms.
Lilly is undergoing chemotherapy treatment. We live an hour from the cancer center and hospital, so we spend a lot of time driving to and from treatments. She has sow immunity so we do what we can to prevent infections – avoid crowds, etc. Otherwise physically she can do as she feels able.
We have had to make many changes in how we live life. Fortunately Lilly’s 4 yr old sister is her best supporter and friend and keeps her spirits high.
I, her mother, am a childhood cancer survivor. I too fought leukemia at the age of 17 and won!
When Isaiah was 3 years old, I took him to the emergency room for a fever. I figured it was an ear infection and doctors would give me antibiotics so we could be on our way home. But on this particular day, the doctor came back to the room and informed me that his white and red blood cells and platelets were down. He said that 1 out of the 3 or 2 out of three is ok but all three down is not a good sign. He then mutters, “It’s Cancer.” In a matter of seconds, our world changed. He was rushed immediately to start treatment – chemotherapy and a blood transfusion.
Two years later and he is currently in maintenance. He still gets oral chemo every night and antibiotics on the weekends. Every 3 months he gets his spinal tap along with Vincristine chemotherapy.
The diagnosis changed our lives. I had to resign my full time job to care for my child and give up my rental property and move in with his Dad for a few months. I had to get a part time job to make ends meet since Isaiah is dealing with medical issues that is associated with his cancer.
Despite his cancer, Isaiah is a true definition of a warrior!
Angelina began getting sick months before her diagnosis. I began to notice bruises on her body, and a lack of interest with playing, partially due to complaints of leg pain. I took her to see her pediatrician on several occasions but her symptoms were dismissed as viral.
Then one day Angelina stopped walking because her leg pain had become unbearable, and she also began throwing up blood clots. It wasn’t until a trip to the ER that the devastating diagnosis was made.
Cancer has changed our lives completely. I have to work so I take Angelina to work with me and we ride the bus. This is an extremely difficult time for us. We’d like this photo session to mark this significant milestone of turning 5.
Anna is a joy! She was diagnosed January 11th, 2018 at 7 months old. She was quiet and more tired. What we attributed to teething turned out to be much worse. We took her in for small bruises that we had noticed on her leg (pitachiae). That night we rushed to CHOP er after a cbc ordered by our family doctor.
She has been through surgeries and over 200 days in the hospital this year for blood infection and chemo treatments. She has had too many blood transfusions to count.
We struggle with being apart while Anna is in treatment. She is still nursing and I have been away from the other children for entire hospital stays. Travel and expenses are also a struggle but not nearly as painful as being away from each other. She really is a normal toddler despite the chemo and all the rest. She amazes me!
