Declan was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia on July 1, 2020, at the age of two and a half. Declan began bruising easily in the spring and since he is a pretty rough boy who loves to be outdoors we didn’t think much of it. As time went on he started bruising in less common places, his spine, chin, and forearms. He had a big belly which we also thought was pretty common of toddlers but it actually ended up being his liver and spleen swollen from the cancer. About four days before diagnosis he started having problems walking and was unable to lift his right leg to climb stairs and could not run anymore either. We already had his doctor appointment scheduled at that point but I knew something was wrong then and we moved his appointment up to an earlier date.
Declan has had 14 lumbar punctures, seven different chemotherapy drugs, a PICC line placed in his arm, three blood clots, an infusaport placed in his chest. Many blood and platelet transfusions and several hospital stays. He was unable to walk for several months and still goes to weekly physical therapy to help gain his strength back. Due to Declan’s cancer and the covid pandemic I’ve had to cut back my work hours to be home with him and his brothers. He has two older brothers ages 12 & 10 and a baby brother who was on one week old when Declan was diagnosed.
We are very cautious about being around other people, have had some financial setbacks and a lot of stress. Life, in general, can be stressful, and add in four kids and one with cancer it has definitely changed our lives.
Hope session by Lauren Tomten Photography | Facebook | Instagram