Niko is an energetic, social butterfly! He loves to run and dance and be center stage. He is a storyteller who LOVES dinosaurs, Star Trek, and superheroes. He also loves shoes. His favorite store is DSW and his first sentence was “nice shoes, daddy” . He is compassionate, caring, and wise beyond his years. He thinks about others and wants to help those in need.
In July of 2017, Niko was diagnosed with Leukemia. Leading up to his diagnosis, he had pain in his right foot. We did not know this at the time, but, unexplained limb pain is often a symptom of leukemia. Niko, as with any child being treated for leukemia, has had numerous chemo injections, through his port (which was inserted under his skin at the time of diagnosis), chemo injections in his spinal cord (under anesthetic), blood and platelet transfusions, along with countless oral meds, xrays, and scans.
We are forever changed by this experience. After Niko’s diagnosis, we thought we were going to lose him but, as we have seen him progress through treatment, that feeling has faded. We don’t dwell. We celebrate everything he has achieved and are now in a place where we can look ahead and be excited for what the future holds for him (and us). This journey has forced us to re-evaluate priorities, appreciate how much love surrounds us, and be grateful for today!
We may be biased, but, Niko is honestly the most incredible little person we have ever witnessed.
Olias is a champion. We call him our little warrior! When you see my baby, you will always see a smile on his face. He is always singing and dancing for doctors and nurses. He is a shining star!
Olias was diagnosed on April 27,2017 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or ALL. I took him in due to pain in his hip on April 3. The pain turned out to be fluid in his hip. His blood counts were high. He has down syndrome, so they asked us to redo blood work in 3 weeks. We had blood work done 2 days later and my world was shattered with the words, “Your son has cancer.”
Olias started the treatment plan for Leukemia soon after. He has had regular chemo sessions and many lumbar procedures. His numbers drop really easily and has had to be hospitalized a few times due to low counts.
We are so very extra careful with him now. A minor sickness can have major complications for him. Before his diagnosis, we were always out and about. Now we now must limit our outings. If we do take him anywhere we make sure we can sanitize anything he touches. I’ve become” THAT MOM” but we have to try and limit any sickness. We take no chances with his health.
Chemo can be very hard on him, but he fights this monster face to face and will not back down. I am so proud of him!
Camila currently enjoys playing softball, piano & serving as an alter server at our church. Camila was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) when she was 3 years old. Her cancer was very aggressive and eventually she needed a bone marrow transplant at the age of 4. She had many obstacles throughout her treatment. Now, she is cancer free and dealing with many side effects. For example, she has arthritis, cataracts, and growth problems.
She is a very strong little girl! She always reminds me that our faith will take us far! We have learned that our lives will never be “normal” but we are ok with that. We accept what God has planned for us & will let Him lead us in the right path.
Eli loves super heroes, animals and his family. He is shy at first but is breaking out of his shell more by the day.
Eli was diagnosed June 23,2014 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. We noticed a red mark on Eli’s face, which led up to checking lab work, which discovered the leukemia.
Eli has been through a bone marrow aspiration, many Lumber Punctures with intrathecal methotrexate, many surgeries and hospitalizations due to infections in his port. He has undergone treatment for the last 3 1/2 years. For the last 2 years he has been in maintenance and he will finish treatment in the next couple weeks.
Cancer has changed our family life in many ways. We have had to miss many things with our other children while away in the hospital. But in a positive way I️t has opened our eyes to a different side of life.
Liam is an amazing son! He is loving and caring, he loves to play and use his imagination. He loves to laugh so it doesn’t take much to get a laugh out of him, a silly face or noise, he also loves jokes! He loves cars, trains, fixing thing with his tools. He love to be outside! He is very smart and loves to talk and read books, he will be three in April and I can only imagine all of the new adventures that will bring!
Just before Liam’s second birthday, he came down with a double ear infection and was put on antibiotics. A couple weeks later, he was still having unexplained fevers and fatigue. I knew something wasn’t right and I thought the ear infection was still present. When his doctor said his ears were clear, we immediately talked about getting blood work done since he had very swollen lymph nodes on his neck, as well as abnormal bruising. About 3 hours after the blood work, we were called back to the office and our doctor shared that Liam was extremely dehydrated, very anemic, and she was 98% positive but it could be leukemia. We were sent directly to the ER to begin testing, and we’re giving the official diagnosis just two days later. Liam started treatment right away.
Liam was put into the very high risk protocol for treatment because of his bone marrow results. His treatment was very intense over five phases that were each eight weeks long. Each round consisted of weekly chemotherapy including four rounds of high-dose methotrexate which needed a 4 to 5 day hospital stay each round. He also had an allergic reaction to a certain type of chemotherapy, in place of an IV treatment for that chemo, he had to have 56 leg injections. The biggest struggle for our family was that my husband had to leave for deployment in August and just returned home. Before my husband left, we did receive the great news that Liam had reached remission! Liam is now in maintenance, which will be two and half years of monthly chemotherapy.
After Liams diagnosis, our daily life became clinic visits of chemotherapy and treatment. It was a big adjustment since Liam was involved in many activities and classes with other children, he has not be able to attend those but we have tried to find new activities that are safe for him. I did not return back to work as an elementary teacher and with having a deployed husband, it has been a lot of responsibility on my part, but I have also found a strength within myself that I didn’t know I had. In these struggles we have found ways to remain close and supportive of each other in many ways.
Brynn is very shy and sweet. She loves to dance and is very close to her siblings. Loves soccer and gymnastics, and anything American Girl.
In the summer of 2015, she had fatigue, bruising, paleness, fever, and leg pain. She had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She has had chemotherapy/steroids/antibiotics orally and intravenously, port accesses, lumbar punctures, bone marrow aspirate, surgery to place a port-a-cath, and also to remove it. Not to mention numbers hospital stays for fever/infection, frequent port accesses and blood draws, blood and platelet transfusions. She just finished active treatment in September 2017.
We couldn’t be more proud of her throughout her journey – she has matured beyond her years, and has been through more than a 7 year old should. These photos honor this huge milestone for her and our family! Cancer has made us closer as a family, and more appreciative of all of our blessings. There is always something to be grateful for.
