On June 6, 2011 our family heard a diagnosis that has changed our lives forever. Our youngest child was diagnosed with Leukemia. It is taking us down a path that we never dreamed we would be on….
Throughout our vacation, Jethenro was not his usual active self. He had a cold and sinus infection about 2 weeks before leaving... but it had been conquered...or so we thought. Throughout our travel, we recognized symptoms appearing that led us to believe he had a viral infection.
The morning after our return home, Don took Jethenro to the hospital get his blood checked. When the lab tech read the values, he wouldn't even give the results. He insisted that Jethenro needed to see his primary care physician immediately, so off they went.
When I saw Don a few hours later, I saw fear in his eyes. As soon as he shut the bedroom door, he relayed what the doctor had diagnosed, and burst into tears. The one word summery of our conversation was:
CANCER
What?! Our healthy, active son had what?! My mind whirled...and spun out of control. It couldn't be! But wait...they had an immediate referral to see the Oncologist to verify. About half an hour later, they left for that second opinion.
The morning after our return home, Don took Jethenro to the hospital get his blood checked. When the lab tech read the values, he wouldn't even give the results. He insisted that Jethenro needed to see his primary care physician immediately, so off they went.
When I saw Don a few hours later, I saw fear in his eyes. As soon as he shut the bedroom door, he relayed what the doctor had diagnosed, and burst into tears. The one word summery of our conversation was:
CANCER
What?! Our healthy, active son had what?! My mind whirled...and spun out of control. It couldn't be! But wait...they had an immediate referral to see the Oncologist to verify. About half an hour later, they left for that second opinion.
Oh how I prayed...and cried... until I saw them later...when the kind of cancer was identified. It was definitely leukemia, but his blood would have to be analyzed by MD Anderson before knowing what type of leukemia he had. I had never known that there were 8 or more types of leukemia.
Jethenro was admitted to the hospital and was given blood and platelets while they waited for the results of the blood test. Roshi offered to spend the night with Jethenro while Don came home to get a few hours of sleep. That proved to be a blessing, though it was a fitful night. For the next day would be another day of trials.
Jethenro was admitted to the hospital and was given blood and platelets while they waited for the results of the blood test. Roshi offered to spend the night with Jethenro while Don came home to get a few hours of sleep. That proved to be a blessing, though it was a fitful night. For the next day would be another day of trials.
June 7, 2011 dawned like any other day for most people. Jethenro was anointed by a local pastor and elder at 12:30 and by 2pm the doctor had a definite diagnosis. Jethenro was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia or ALL. The doctor felt it best to have Jethenro transferred to Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, TX because he was worried about his kidney function. The whole family gathered at the hospital to say goodbye. The PICU staff at our local children’s hospital were so very understanding. They let our entire extended family plus 2 pastors into the room (16 people total) to pray and say goodbye. Jethenro and Don were airlifted to Texas Childrens Hospital around 6pm and arrived around 7:30pm. Jethenro thoroughly enjoyed his Kangaroo crew (the mobile intensive care unit sent to transport him).
Roshi, Nitha, and Marci headed home to spend a somewhat more restful night before Marci drove up to Houston the next morning.
June 8, 2011 – Before Marci got to Houston, Jethenro had already had a spinal tap ( Lumbar Puncture) and his first round of chemotherapy.
Between Wednesday and Friday (the 10th) not a whole lot happened. On Friday, one of our uncles took Roshi and Nitha to Houston to spend Sabbath with the family.
Nitha and Roshi were told that Jethenro enjoyed keeping his PICU nurses on their toes. But he is pretty sure they enjoyed having an older patient for a change. ;)
June 11, 2011 – Jethenro got 3 chemo IM injections. Roshi and Nitha left Saturday evening fully expecting not to see Jethenro again until Thursday.
June 12, 2011 – Jethenro was very unexpectedly discharged from Texas Childrens Hospital and got to come home!!
The next couple of days nothing really went on. Jethenro rested, did some walking, was on his computer and the rest of family kinda went about their days. Mom and dad with household chores, Nitha with school, and Roshi… Well Roshi is losing the skin on her hands due to Clorox suddenly becoming her best friend… J
Through this experience we are learning lessons that we didn't know we needed to learn. We are leaning on God so much more. We are so grateful for prayers of family and friends that are sustaining us through this difficult time and solicit all to please continue to uplift Jethenro in prayer.
I had no clue this was going on- I am lifting you up in prayer, Jethenro, and am praying for the entire family! May God be your strength in this time of trial!
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