In February 2024, our world was turned upside down when Brooks was diagnosed with Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML). It all started with tiny, pinpoint dots around his eyes. Thinking it was a rash, I sent a picture to our pediatrician, who immediately ordered bloodwork. Looking back, the signs had been there—months of back-to-back respiratory viruses and unexplained bruising. But we never imagined it would lead to this.
After two rounds of chemotherapy, Brooks underwent a bone marrow transplant in April 2024. Treatment meant learning an entirely new way of life—worrying about germs, giving medicine, changing dressings in a sterile environment, and even leaving home for four months to be where he needed to be.
Through it all, Brooks never stopped smiling. Even on the hardest days, when chemo made him feel awful, he found a way to be silly, to laugh, to bring joy to those around him. He is a ball of energy—running, jumping, climbing, and constantly on the move. But at the same time, he’s a mama’s boy at heart, never passing up a snuggle with me, his blanket, or his favorite stuffed animals.
He won over his nurses and made friends with everyone along the way. His strength and spirit remind us daily of the incredible fighter that he is.
Hope session by Michelle Nicholson Photography | Facebook | Instagram