Jenna is very creative. She loves art and photos. She also loves her dog, music, junk food, and fishing.
Jenna was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in February of 2023. Prior to her diagnosis, she had a persistent cough and cold, along with a swollen neck and collarbone region. She was also experiencing chronic back and jaw pain,
Her treatment(s) have included chemotherapy, biopsies, surgery, port placement, pulmonary exams, blood draws, and scans, Fortunately, she does not have any limitations due to her diagnosis and treatment but we have had to miss a lot of work and school.
Of course, cancer has changed a lot about our lives. It has been particularly hard because we have already lost two other children in our family due to other health reasons.
Ava loves animals, music and laughter. Her positive spirit is inspiring!
Ava was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January of 2022. Prior to her diagnosis, she was experiencing frequent nosebleeds, a persistent cough, paleness, and lack of energy. Her treatment has included chemotherapy and proton beam radiation. She also had to relocate across the the state for a portion of her treatment.
Ava is just amazing and so positive. She would always say ‘I’m not even sick’ even when she was so, so sick. It made us humble and admire her even more.
Braylon is so smart and funny. He loves talking – he’ll be a mayor or a lawyer one day because he is a master negotiator! He loves basketball and tennis and he loves his friends. He has enjoyed Fortnite since his diagnosis.
Braylon was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma on February 27th 2022. He had a terrible cough for about 3 weeks prior to his diagnosis. We had taken him to a doctor who thought he had croup. The morning of his diagnosis, he had large swollen lymph nodes. We took him to urgent care where they directed us to take him to the ER.
Braylon has a mediport and receives A LOT of chemotherapy through that. He had a life-threatening allergic reaction to Pegaspargase, which was more terrifying than the day he was diagnosed. Due to that allergy, he had to have many many chemo shots in his leg and often receives platelets or blood transfusions. We have had many struggles to keep together as a family. We have three other active children. Emily (his mom) has had to stop working due to the extensive treatment and side effects.
Cancer has affected our entire family. Our other three children have had to come home to an empty house, have parents that miss all their events, and have been left to fend for themselves in many ways. Our family life revolves around cancer. Due to the germs that could harm Braylon, we cannot have friends over because his immune system is compromised.
Dean has been a very special boy from the time he was born. He is a strong-willed, smart, hysterical kid. He loves jokes, dogs, and his best friend and cousin Brayden.
Dean was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma at just over 3 years old, In November of 2020 amidst an already unimaginable time in the world, our life was turned upside down.
Prior to his diagnosis, we thought Dean was having an asthma flare-up. We had taken him to his pediatrician in October because he had what sounded like a barking cough. His doctor prescribed medication which helped so we continued with his daily asthma preventative, but about two weeks later the barking cough returned. Again we were told it sounded like Croup and he was given another 3 days of prednisone. This helped briefly but the cough returned. His asthma specialist put us on a two-week flare plan and we made an appointment to follow up. During this time we noticed that he was breathing more deeply and that just wasn’t sitting well with us. Over time, the coughing increased, he wouldn’t eat and just seemed uncomfortable. We eventually decided to take him to the ER – Dean got really upset and worked up which caused him to start coughing vigorously and he was struggling to take breaths. His dad pulled him from his car seat while I called 911. Luckily, by the time the EMTs arrived, he was calm and he was not in distress. Everyone who listened to his breathing told us his left side was very diminished. We were taken to the ER by ambulance.
The doctors there asked a lot of questions and began treating him with steroids and more nebulizer treatments. Again, there was not much improvement in his breathing which led to the doctor ordering a chest X-ray. I thank God for that doctor deciding to do that because from what I understand that isn’t typical for someone being treated for asthma. We soon were transferred to another hospital and found out that Dean had a very large mass compromising his airway.
Once we were transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dean started his treatment very quickly. His condition was very scary and his breathing was severely compromised. He was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for the next 6 days. He has since endured 27 months of treatment. Dean has had frequent lumbar punctures, port placement, and removal surgery, countless port accesses, IV placements, bloodwork, and Covid tests. We’ve had three hospital admissions, blood clots, along with multiple x-rays, scans, and ER visits. One of the most difficult periods of his treatment was during the beginning when we found he had blood clots. We had to give him blood thinner shots twice a day at home. It was very hard to already be struggling with his diagnosis and treatment and medications, but now to have to give him the shots was nearly impossible. When you are faced with such a difficult situation you really see what you are capable of.
At times, it feels like Dean’s little body rules our world. We have to be so in tune with what is going on with him to keep on top of side effects and fevers. We’ve been so lucky to learn through this journey that there is so much good in the world, even when you are walking through your darkest moments. We’ve been given so much love and support from family, friends, and strangers near and far. We are so grateful that Dean has responded well to his treatment and we live so close to one of the best hospitals for children. Our family will never be the same, but we’ve also seen that we are so fortunate and others have a much more challenging journey than us.
Dean’s strength and ability to adapt as a young kid being thrown into this situation is incredible.
Brian has such a big and bright personality, he used to be so shy and didn’t talk to anyone other than family. After his diagnosis and a lot of hospital/clinic time, he has actually opened up a lot more. He loves music and dancing. bubbles, cars, and sea animals are his current obsession. He has a “secret handshake” he does with his favorite nurses and doctors. He spends any chance he gets watching Blippi and exploring.
Brian was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in November of 2021. He did not have symptoms that we noticed. He was actually running with his sister when he fell and I immediately saw the right side of his face paralyzed! We took him to urgent care where they then sent us to the emergency room. That is when they told us his labs were abnormal and they discovered his kidneys were 3 times their normal size! His pancreas was inflamed with tumors and as it turned out he had stage 4 cancer. His face being paralyzed was caused by cancer making its way into his spinal fluid.
Brian is currently receiving chemotherapy. He also receives regular lumber punctures. It has been difficult because instead of spending time together as a whole family (we also have a 9 yr old daughter) we spend a lot of time in the clinic/hospital. We also don’t get to go out as much or visit with other family members.
Brian is the strongest little boy ever and I don’t just say that because of his cancer diagnosis. He has adapted so much and makes everything he goes through look so easy. Before his cancer diagnosis, he was diagnosed with autism and a speech delay. I was so worried because he has sensory sensitivities but he found a way to cope.
Joel is a fun-loving 9-year-old boy. He absolutely adores animals! He also loves to watch YouTube videos and play Roblox.
Joel was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma on June 14 2022. Before he was diagnosed, he was extremely tired, had no appetite, had pale skin and was lethargic.
He has had 2 biopsies, multiple hospital admissions, and chemotherapy. He also tends to get tired more easily than he used to.
The struggle of having a child with cancer has been very hard on all of us. We worry more and don’t make plans like we used to.
In spite of everything, Joel has such a great attitude toward all that he has gone through.
