Oliver was born with hemihyperplasia (one leg was bigger than the other). It was very noticeable as a baby but we can barely notice a difference now. He had a predisposition to getting certain cancers but it was still a very small chance. He got a routine ultrasound of his abdomen done as a screening method for a tumor. We did notice that his appetite had decreased. They noticed it and called to tell us to go to the ER right away so that he could be admitted as an inpatient to undergo a port-a-cath placement, CT scans, and receive his first doses of chemotherapy.
Oliver has been through a lot. He received chemotherapy, and lots of different medications (he despises them). He had kidney failure and was on dialysis (the darkest time of our lives). He has spent over 40 nights in the hospital all together. He had surgery to remove the tumor from his kidney and then finished chemotherapy.
It was so hard on all of us but our 8-year-old daughter had a very hard time at first. Our family was separated for the first time (mom and Oliver were always at the hospital and she and dad were at home). She woke up with multiple panic attacks for the first couple of months.
We now have to go get scans every three months to make sure the cancer doesn’t return. It’s hard on all of us. We have a lot of anxiety but we also are trying to live life a little bit more full.
Jaylani is a very silly, happy girl that enjoys everything about Disney and the ocean!
Jaylani was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor on September 18th 2022. We knew something was wrong when Jaylani wasn’t being the happy, silly girl we all knew. We also noticed blood in her urine.
Her treatment has included chemotherapy and she was down to just one more round as of January 31, 2023!
Cancer has changed our life drastically, we never imagined our beautiful, healthy princess would get such thing.
Nolan loves to laugh and is the life of the party. He loves Cocomelon and dancing to music is his favorite. He is the sweetest child and an absolute joy.
Nolan was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor five days after his first birthday on February 17th, 2022. Prior to his diagnosis, Nolan had an enlarged belly. He was seen by our pediatrician for it when he was 9 months old and she dismissed our concerns. We took him back for his one-year check-up and he was sent straight to Phoenix children’s for images which is where his mom received the news alone due to Covid restrictions.
Nolan has had too many treatments and procedures to list. He lost his kidney, ended up with chylous ascites and was on life support. He also experienced liver failure because of chemo and was on life support a second time. He has had months of chemo, and damage to most of his vital organs. He now has malrotated intestines and will be having another major surgery later this month. There have been lots of struggles having spent 76 days inpatient this year and weekly hours at the hospital. The financial and emotional impact of all of this has been huge. Additionally, Nolan faces a lifetime of complications from having one kidney and also potentially from the damage from the Chemo.
Cancer has changed our entire life but we want to believe it’s changed for the better. Being part of the childhood cancer community has literally been one of the greatest honors of our lives. We have seen so much goodness in our community and through the amazing staff at Phoenix children’s. We experienced so much hope through the process and have now joined the parent advisory board at Phoenix Children’s. my wife also leads a parent prayer and support group at Phoenix Children’s every Wednesday. Giving back as a result of all the goodness we have experienced has become part of our family’s purpose.
Nolan is a walking miracle. He has made it through so many complications this year and we are grateful to have this time in our lives captured.
Keoni is the sweetest, bravest girl around. She is very sassy and loves to be a princess, her favorite movie is Frozen. She loves to put on makeup and paint her nails. She also loves to dance!
Keoni was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor in March of 2022. We were out of town in Phoenix visiting family and she became sick. She was released at first, then wasn’t getting better so we returned to Banner Hospital in Phoenix. They ran tests and the next day removed her kidney due to a tumor. Keno’s treatment has involved a lot of travel and time away from home but it’s almost over as she recently received her last round of chemo. We have upcoming scans that will hopefully show she will no longer need treatment. Throughout this process, Keoni has been the strongest & bravest girl. Even when she feels sick, she is still smiling.
Keoni has received treatment at Rady’s Children’s Hospital in San Diego. She received chemotherapy and radiation in April-November. There were a few times that she had a fever and had to be taken to our nearest hospital in Yuma, Arizona. One of the ER visits resulted in Keoni being flown by helicopter from Yuma to Rady’s Children’s Hospital per her oncologist’s orders. Keoni needed a blood transfusion – she was better within a few days and released. She is so positive and brave, at first she was scared, but now she says she wants to fly in a helicopter again.
Her cancer diagnosis has changed our lives dramatically. She has a great prognosis, and God willing has a great life ahead of her. Keoni is currently a foster child. I’m her great grandmother, and although I’ve been in her life since she was a baby, I became her legal guardian at the beginning of this year. So, even before the tumor, Keoni has dealt with so much but she has a village of people around her that love and support her, and she will get through this much stronger.
Lielle is a feisty character. She is hilarious and makes everyone laugh. She loves unicorns and princesses.
Lielle was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor this past June. Before her diagnosis, she complained of strep throat-like symptoms such as belly pain and she had low-grade fevers. I noticed a lump on her abdomen that I wasn’t sure was there before. We had her checked out by a doctor and they sent us to the ER right away. Had her right kidney was removed that week, along with the tumor.
Along with her kidney and tumor removal, Lielle has had 13 rounds of chemo and has an MRI and CT scan coming up soon. After her scans, we can remove her port and schedule a ring ceremony to celebrate the end of treatment.
Lielle’s cancer diagnosis and treatment have taken a toll on all of us. It is the hardest thing we have ever been through.
Lielle is a true fighter. She is our 4th child and was always naturally strong in character, which has definitely paid off during this challenging time.
