My son Maximiliano (Max or Maxito) was diagnosed at 18 months old on June 4, 2020. He was a happy little toddler jumping around before then so this diagnosis was more than a shock to us.
Three days after his pediatrician saw him at his 18-month check-up and gave us a clean bill of health (despite some concerns with bruising, rash -petechia, and expanded tummy that I had as a mom) he woke up with bleeding gums and I called the pediatrician’s office, scheduled a zoom appointment. The attending partner talked to us and I showed her the pictures and described the symptoms I had described previously to her partner. She immediately sent us to get blood work done and we received a call with the results within one hour.
We spent the first month after diagnosis at the hospital. He had multiple lumbar punctures so far as part of his treatment. He also has had chemo, 2 bone marrow biopsies, PICC line placement, and port placement.
Mental and financial struggles are the top two we face as a family at the time. Additionally, unable to have others support us when we are inpatient due to the pandemic.
Max is teaching us to be brave and he makes us stronger than we ever thought we could be.
Hope session by Gianna Grace Photography | Facebook | Instagram