Meet Logan – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Hope session by Melissa van Ruiten Photography | Facebook | Instagram
Meet Morgan – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Morgan is very shy when you first meet her but when she opens up she is super funny and talkative. Her brother makes her laugh the most. She loves Shopkins, My Little Pony, LOL dolls, Teen Titans Go, and Steven Universe. She loves to draw and paint and is actually really good at it.
n February 2016, Morgan wasn’t feeling well so we took her to the pediatrician who said that she had RSV. She has asthma and has always had upper respiratory issues so it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. After 10 days she started to feel better but she wasn’t 100%. Her face was very pale and there was no color in her lips. She was very lethargic and complained about her ankles hurting and would ask to be carried all the time. The pediatrician thought it was probably still the virus working through her system. Her pulmonologist thought maybe it was seasonal allergies. The day Morgan was diagnosed, we were out to lunch and she was very uncomfortable and whining. We took her straight to the pediatrician and he said she was definitely anemic and told us that it would be better to take her to the ER to get blood work instead of waiting overnight for results from his office. She was severely anemic, low white blood cells and low platelets and diagnosed with ALL.
The ALL protocol includes an approximately 1 month impatient stay during Induction, numerous lumbar punctures, several different types of chemo through the mediport, daily oral chemo in maintenance and monthly steroid pulses. Treatment had its ups and downs but Morgan did relatively good throughout.
There were many limitations that she faced during her treatment. She couldn’t go to a formal preschool because of her suppressed immune system. She couldn’t take any extracurricular classes because of her immune system and her mediport. The monthly steroid pulse really put her in a bad mood and we couldn’t go out a lot because of that.
Cancer changes anyone that it touches. But we have been blessed to have a great family and friend support system throughout our journey that has made it much easier for us. In addition we have met so many kind people through all the different cancer organizations that have helped us financially and emotionally. We definitely met a lot of lifelong friends who understand exactly what we went through.
Hope session by The Life in Your Years Photography | Facebook | Instagram
Meet Orlando – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Last summer, Orlando was playing soccer and was feeling weak. He couldn’t run fast and had hard time breathing. His dad and I took him to the ER to see what was wrong. The doctor said he had asthma. A week later Orlando started to get red spots around his body. Once again we took him to the ER but were told he had a rash. Three weeks later, Orlando had his last game. He started to feel weaker he didn’t eat for three days. He couldn’t walk and all he wanted to do is sleep. We took him to the doctor again the same doctor was rude and say he didn’t have any illness if he was sleeping. Orlando aunt got upset and asked the doctor to do more to find out what was wrong. The doctor sent us to Seattle children’s but didn’t tell us why. When we got there, we were told Orlando had leukemia.
Orlando receives chemo in Seattle but we live in Forks, WA. We stay at the Ronald McDonald house to be close to the hospital when he has treatments. Sometimes it gets hard because his dad isn’t working so he can help with Orlando.
Cancer changed us in so many ways. It was hard in the beginning and when Orlando gets really sick. It made us stronger as a family. He has two sisters and they both have a hard time dealing with his sickness.
Orlando a strong boy with a lot of love. We are blessed God gave us Orlando.
Hope session by Amanda Orleman Photography | Facebook | Instagram
Meet Bryan – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Bryan is a very creative little boy. He loves to pretend cook (future chef possibly) and build things. He loves to laugh at the silly faces of his dad or big brother. His favorite cartoons are chase from paw patrol and minions.
In the spring of this year, he was sleeping constantly, had fevers, weakness and no energy. He was diagnosed with ALL on March 15, 2018. He has had four blood transfusions, four platelet transfusions, 12 spinal taps, port placement surgery and 15+ rounds of chemo. The chemo makes him nauseous at times, tired, with weak and shaky hands and legs.
Our day to day is different with giving medications. We can’t go out in public if he has neutropenia (he can get sick easily). We have to remind his brothers to play more careful with him and him to be more cautious.
Bryan has been through so much! After 4 months of treatment and being hospitalized once after diagnosis due to infection, he has shown our family strength and courage with a smile on his face.
Hope session by Photography by Angel Kinard | Facebook | Instagram
Meet Xavier – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Xavier had been having bouts of extreme fatigue and was very pale- numerous trips to pediatrician resulted in no real cause. One Saturday morning, he was playing and had to go potty and I found blood in his stool. I took him straight to the ER where they determined he wasn’t bleeding internally and was fine. We were about to leave when I mentioned to the doctor how pale he looked. He ran a CBC and 4 hours later we were being admitted to Norton Children’s Hospital with talk of Leukemia.
Xavier’s treatments have gotten better over the last year and a half. We’ve had some real anxiety troubles and some severe reactions to some of the meds but all in all I would say his treatments go fairly smoothly.
Xavier is a triplet. His siblings were very confused when we just disappeared for weeks to be admitted to the hospital. They now understand that he is sick and we have to get him well but explaining that to a couple of 4 year olds wasn’t east. We live 2 hours from Louisville where he receives his treatments. After having to be removed from daycare and having trouble with in home daycare, my husband had to quit his job to take care of the kids. His loss of income and has put a major financial strain on us.
The impact on our family has been vast. It affects our daily lives and our ability to be a family and do all the normal things families do together. But we are blessed and thankful that Xavier is about halfway through with his treatments. We have a long way to go but everyday brings us a bit closer to that end goal.
Hope session by Sunlit Moments Photography | Facebook | Instagram
Meet Noah – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Noah is an old soul that is wise beyond his years. He is kind and brave, and always continues to amaze us with his capacity to adapt to situations. Noah loves Pokémon and playing with his friends.
When Noah was 3 1/2, he had nigh sweats, weight loss, fevers, and was extremely weak. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on August 25, 2014.
Noah endured three years of daily chemotherapy, bone marrow aspirations, intrathecal chemo in his spine over 20 times that required sedation each time, countless hospital stays, and endless pokes. We are currently trying to adjust to being done with treatment and the fear and worries that come with it.
We are much more appreciative on every good day we have because we have learned how quickly life can change. We are closer as a family and have learned to rely on each other during the lonely hospital visits and appointments.
Hope session by Apple of Our Eye | Facebook | Instagram