Marshall is “cheeky” and sweet with a hint of mischief. Funny stories or funny cat videos make him laugh. Marshall’s favorite thing and special interest is trains and have been since he was a year old.
He was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma on July 19th, 2024. Before his diagnosis, he complained about leg pain for a couple of days at a time for a few weeks.
In many ways, the uncertainty, stress, and depression of not knowing what is going to happen has been the hardest part. Also, Marshall used to go to an autism center which was very school-like and that changed abruptly for him which was hard.
Liam was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma on November 14, 2023. Before his diagnosis, he had a growth on his right side. He completed 14 rounds of chemo, had 2 surgeries to remove the tumor, and had a medical port in his chest.
We are more grateful to God for all the little and big things! Liam rang the bell on July 19th!
Hope session by Elaine Janet Photography | Facebook
Piper is the sweetest and most resilient child we know. She loves princesses (she was rapunzel for Halloween), she loves horses, Halloween, baking, and watching the Ravens play football every Sunday.
In March 2022 Piper was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called Ewings Sarcoma. She had a 7-inch tumor removed from her right femur in August and the prognosis is very positive.
It was very rare that Piper (who was 3 at the time) wasn’t experiencing any pain before her diagnosis. While playing one day, we felt that her leg was very stiff. After taking her to the doctor for x-rays she was diagnosed and started chemo 2 weeks later. She had 70% of her femur/tumor removed and a bone graft was completed. After 15 weeks in a cast, she has begun walking while in a brace now. She is getting stronger each day.
Piper has completed 14 rounds of intensive chemo. She has lost all her hair, but we have just completed treatment and look forward to her beautiful curly hair growing back. Piper was diagnosed when I was 9 months pregnant. Her sister was born after her first round of chemo. My husband had to leave shortly after I gave birth because Piper had a neutropenic fever that placed her in the hospital. It was a difficult time navigating a cancer child’s treatments and a newborn but our family is strong.
Our family dyanmic has of course changed due to the situation we faced, but we became very knowledgeable on the topic of cancer. We also volunteer and speak with other families who need support and have questions about the process.
You would think 5 different kinds of chemo drugs, steroids, reconstructing 70% of the femur, the inability to walk for 15 weeks, bi-weekly shots, yucky tasting antibiotics, nausea, hair loss, and countless sleepless nights would make anyone cranky, but overall, Piper has shown incredible perseverance with a tremendously positive attitude. While other kids are confined to their rooms, Piper is out walking the halls saying “hi” to all the doctors and nurses. When other kids are too tired to leave their beds, Piper is in the art room painting or playing with dolls in the playroom. She’s only 4, but so strong.
Mateo had a large bump on the top of his head. For a couple of months, his pediatrician dismissed it saying it was probably just from him hitting his head. Mateo behaved relatively normal except he would be tired easily and very easily irritable. The bump didn’t bother him unless it was touched.
Eventually, after persistently asking for some scans to be done, Mateo was taken to Radys Children Hospital, where we were told that there was an unknown mass on his head and that needed to be removed immediately.
Mateo stayed in the hospital that night and the days after as they scheduled his surgery and removed the mass. About a week later, we were informed it was cancer.
For about a year he fought and did well through chemo and radiation. We were given some hope when we were told that his scans showed no cancer. Unfortunately, that only lasted for a few months because his cancer came back, but this time also in his lungs.
Emotionally coping with cancer is difficult. But even more emotionally difficult when it is a child. Adjusting to seeing Mateo physically change is hard. Every one of us has had to sacrifice something to make it work and provide the best environment for Mateo. Mateo is strong though which helps us get through it. Mateo has hope that one day he will be healed and won’t have to go to the hospital anymore.
