One day in October, Miguel was complaining he was bit by a spider on his neck and he just happened to have a  red area there, it simulated an insect bite. As a mother, I gave him some Benadryl for itching and put medication on it.  A couple of days went by and did not go away. The red area seemed to clear but not the bump. We went to our walk-in doctor’s office where we were given medication under the assumption that it may be a swollen lymph node. They asked that we follow up with his primary doctor.

Miguel just happened to have a well check-up in the month of October. When we saw the doctor, he also reassured me it may not be much to worry about. He had been healthy and did not complain of anything but he would like him to see a specialist.

We went to see the specialist the next month. He didnt know what it could be and wanted Miguel to get it removed. On November 30th, he had surgery right before he got his drivers license.  

On December 7th, my life fell apart and my heart broke to hear my son had cancer!  We went to see the oncologist and he said it may be a stage four and contained around the neck. Miguel was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

When we got the result and saw that he was a stage 4, he has a mass growing on his heart and into his lungs, I could not have been more torn and broken. It left me breathless.

We were told he would have six to eight months of treatment or more. Miguel told the doctor he will not be in treatment for that long- he planned for it to be shorter.

By the 3rd cycle, my son was almost clear of cancer and beat it in 4 months! 
The positive energy and the smile this young man had is what made all this happen. He was the strength of our family. We became a stronger family because of him. 

We did not quit we were each others support! We have learned to love, to cherish life, and each other so much more! Thank you for giving the opportunity to share my sons story.

Hope session by Dillybar Photography