Jackson’s personality is as bright and sweet as ever. He loves all kinds of trucks, trains, and construction equipment. His favorite activity is driving his electric truck outside. He’s also a loving big brother to Isabelle and adores his dog, Buzz. Jackson’s resilience and cheerful spirit bring so much joy to our family every single day.
In February 2020, at just 19 months old, Jackson was diagnosed with cancer. Before his diagnosis, he experienced persistent high fevers, lethargy, and sadness, which led us to visit the pediatrician three times in two weeks. One alarming moment was when he lightly bumped his head on a door jamb and immediately bruised. Shortly after, a rash appeared all over his body, which turned out to be petechiae—a symptom that ultimately led to his diagnosis.
Since then, Jackson has undergone extensive treatments, including over a dozen lumbar punctures for chemotherapy, countless IV chemo infusions, and over a year of oral chemotherapy at home. He also takes steroids every three months. To protect his health, we’ve had to hire a nanny to avoid exposing him to other children and illnesses, which has created financial challenges.
Jackson’s diagnosis has profoundly impacted our family. When we received the news, I was 27 weeks pregnant with his sister Isabelle, which brought unexpected challenges during an already significant life change. Despite this, our family has grown closer during these incredibly tough two years, and we are eagerly anticipating the end of Jackson’s treatment in May 2024.
Hope session by Cate Connery Bury Photography, LLC | Facebook | Instagram