Rylan was diagnosed on February 20, 2020. His symptoms were like any other cold or flu virus but the pediatrician just felt there was more. He was pale but he’s always been light-skinned. Luckily she ordered labs and the numbers told the story. It was unreal and numbing to learn the news of his cancer.
Treatments include a lot of visits to John Hopkins Hospital. We had a 12-day inpatient hospital stay at diagnosis and another inpatient stay for an infection. He gets labs very regularly and various chemo treatments on the protocol plan, typically at least once a week. He has received a lot of lumbar punctures for spinal chemo and bone marrow testing. He has also had several EKG and ultrasounds along the way. He takes more pills daily than my grandfather ever did.
We are home a lot and have to be super careful with food and the activities we do attempt. Rylan lacks energy most days and car rides make him nauseous. His sister has really struggled like most siblings do and has needed counseling to help her cope. COVID had already allowed us to work remotely so we were already home but we won’t be able to return to the office full time like other people.
He’s lonely right now. He misses his schoolmates, friends, sports, and having the freedom to just go to the neighbors and play. Summertime made it harder because he knows everyone else is out having fun and being free. He is a fighter though!
Hope session by Kate Hollings Photography | Instagram