This post is reprinted with permission from Manic Mother in order to spread awareness. The Mom Blog community is known for its ability to make a difference for someone and when Manic Mother reached out to us, we definitely wanted to do our part. If you choose to donate OR blog about this, please link up your blog on this linky at any time.
Please do not link unless you have done one of these two things as its a way for mothers who are assisting in this cause to connect.
Ezra is in our prayers. Also, please leave Beth some kind words in the comments for encouragement. Sometimes sharing words really helps and we want her to know that the whole community is here to lend her a shoulder.
~Trisha
Please help my family kick Cancers Ass
I don’t even know where to start this post…its going to be hard to write, as I am already choking back tears and haven’t finished the first sentence. I am taking some hours away from the hospital, to write this and to try to clear my head.
As many of you know my youngest son was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) 2 days ago, the day my world fell out from under me.
We took him to the Dr. the other day because he was bitten by either a spider or a tick. Shortly after we noticed the bites we saw he wasn’t feeling well, kind of lethargic, and not eating much, he also was limping in one leg. I assumed he was having a reaction from the bites.
They did an x-ray of his legs to make sure he hadn’t fractured anything as a precautionary measure. The x-ray showed he had some abnormalities in his bones.
We are in the grocery store and I get a call from his pediatrician, he tells me I need to take him to the ped. oncology tomorrow. That it could be cancer. My world is spinning now, we walk away from our filled grocery cart, and head back home. Panic starts to set in.
It still is not making any sense. Ezra has been a perfectly healthy baby. He shows none of the typical symptoms of ALL. Besides being pale (but we all are), and the limp that just showed up. He is healthy, or so I thought. How do you go from a limp to leukemia?
After seeing the pediatric oncologist we are still hopeful, since he also says he doesn’t see any of the symptoms. So they take some blood and we are on our way.
That night we get a call from him, and our told to take him to the ER. We rush our baby off in the middle of the night. At the ER my husband and I have to endure things no parent should ever have to see, I don’t think I can go into detail. Just imagine blood curdling screams from your baby, like nothing you have ever heard.
We are told later that night that it probably is leukemia. Still have to wait for final lab results though. Sure enough he has cancer. Holy shit, my baby has cancer.
He is doing good so far, he had surgery to place a port in his chest so they can administer the chemo, and that went well. He has had 2 rounds of chemo already, and is staying tough.
His spinal test came back negative, meaning the cancer had not yet spread to his spine and brain…we caught it really early.
Thank you spider.
The type of leukemia he has is the most treatable type, it has the highest remission and cure rate. Silver lining perhaps?
That doesn’t take away from the fact that he now faces 3 years of chemotherapy. 3 years.
Here is where we need your help.
We are by no means financially well off. I stay at home with the boys, and my husband works PT and goes to school FT. We live off of his little pay and student loans.
We also share a car.
We can’t afford a new one…or even a used one. I am going to be taking Ezra to the Dr. 2-3 times a week, there is no way we can share a car, with my husband having to go back and forward from school and work. Not to mention if he gets a fever I have to take him to the Dr. ASAP.
His insurance should cover all of his medical bills. Its just the other things we can’t afford.
We also need to make my home more suitable for Ezra, I need to have the plumbing, and ac serviced to make sure it is clean. Any bacteria infection can kill him. We just don’t have the funds to do so. Yes, my family is helping out some, but their means are limited as well. Not to mention much of their money will be spent flying down to help me (they live in MN).
I am a proud person, I do not like being a charity case. But given the current situation, I am swallowing my pride, and asking for any help you can give.
Even if its only a dollar, I would be thrilled.
If you don’t have a dollar (I know I don’t) , please help out by blogging about this, tweeting, stumbling, etc. I have seen how Mommy bloggers rally to help each other out in times of need, and I know you will all do the same for us.
I am putting a paypal button in this post for donations, and there will also be one up in my sidebar, which I know works. I don’t know if this one will work, its so confusing and my head hurts, but we need help ASAP so I am trying to muddle through this.
Please help in anyway you can, thanks so much, and keep the prayers and thoughts coming.
~Manic Mother (Beth)
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My son also has ALL. My love and best wishes go out to you all. I know how hard this fight is. We are 4 months into it. We were told Sam had constipation the day we brought him to the ER..and hour later we were arranging for transfer to Montefiore for chemo. My gut told me to take him in that day…or perhaps God!
I am so sorry that your beautiful baby has ALL. I know the hell that this can be to go through. Be strong. I wanted to let you know that the Leukemia/Lymphoma society has a financial assistance program, I believe it is a donation to you for $500. We were told at the time about it by the hospital social worker so that may be a good place to start or by going to http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page.adp?item_id=4603 Good luck to you, your beautiful child is in my prayers tonight.
I am Praying for her Family. Also I’m going to get them on a few of the Prayer Phone Lists I know of. ASAP!! Plan on Donating as soon as I’m able. This is a Terrible illness that affect’s TO many Precious lifes.
Much Love,Christina
My son Owen was diagnosed with all at age 3,nearly 12 yrs ago and like Ezra was a healthy robust toddler. I know how hard it is to slip into the black abyss but you gotta stay strong think of all the positves and dispell the negatives. My son is now 15 and has overcome so much ,I hope in a few years time you are saying the same to someone else thats been in our situation. All my love to you nd your family xx.
I hope my blog post helps even a little! We are here for you Beth!
holy holy. I am so sorry to hear about this. I feel for you. thinking of you and your family!
Im sending lots of prayers your way! Im donating right now if I can figure out how.
Praying for this precious family. Blogged and donated. Thanks for opening me up to this…I’ll help in anyway I can.
I can’t imagine such a young child going through 3 years of chemo. My heart goes out to Ezra and his family. Though it’s not much, I hope I’ve helped a little.
I blogged and donated.
http://mommy23monkeys.com/2009/05/26/manic-mother-is-in-a-panic/
I just can not imagine.
[...] they are selling Blog Love bracelets with the proceeds going to Ezra’s fund. Also, over at momdot.com there is a post going with how lots of other amazing bloggers are helping so you can find a way to [...]
I want to help! I donated, and I will blog and tweet and facebook… the last thing a family needs to worry about at a time like this is money!
They are in my prayers ! I have spread the word.
I blogged: http://lizzie-q-homemaker.blogspot.com/2009/05/help-fellow-blogger.html
I blogged about it. This story breaks my heart.
http://www.goddessinthehouse.com/2009/05/please-help-this-family-beat-cancer.html
Thank you for posting this and bringing it to my attention. Though I cannot afford to help a lot (wish I could!) I am donating a small amount and will repost this on my blog. I can not fathom the pain this family is enduring. No one should have to see their child suffer this way. I am praying for the whole family and that many many bloggers will be able to help them through this.
Thanks momdot for stepping up and sharing this post!
Momdot it warms my heart to see mothers get together to help out one of our own. My heart goes out to this mother and when/if I can my money will to. Pay it forward.
We had a recent scare that my youngest may have had luekemia… we were spared and she is now fine. This story really struck a chord with me because of that. I reposted and will be praying for Ezra.
[...] read about this on Momdot.com and it struck a chord with me. As you know recently we had a health scare with Avery. Last [...]
I can`t imagine 3 years of cancer treatments. Poor guy. I donated some I hope it helps
My prayers go out to you and your family. I could not imagine hearing those words. Hugs to you and your family. I wish Ezra a complete recovery.
I donated and know Ezra is going to kick cancer’s ass and take some names! We’re sending a bunch of very positive vibes and prayers.
I’m trying to see through my tears as I type this. I can’t imagine what you are going through nor will you go through with your baby. A simple thing as a Spider bite bringing out something so horrible but THANK GOD early caught can mean so many blessings to have caught this so early. My prayers and thoughts are with LIL Ezra in his fight through Cancer. HUGS and Many many Prayers to you and your family. May he be in REmission soon. Please keep us posted on his progress.
My heart aches for you and your family as I read this. I have been blessed with 2 healthy children and have never had to endure the agony I know you are going through. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Im sure you already know this but apply for social security disability for your son. He will also get medicaide along with a monthly check. Every little bit helps. I know people that have children that have illnesses that are no where near as bad as this and they get disability for their children.
God Bless you and yours!!
Words cannot describe how sorry I feel for this family. My heart, prayers and thoughts go out to them. I hope that Ezra gets better and that he lives a full, happy, healthy life! I hope that all of us together can make a difference for this family! God bless them! (((hugs))) to little sweet Ezra!
My heart just acts for this family , I would never know what to do in this situation. When you go to bed and have a healthy child to have your world turned upside down! I ordered 3 bracelets for me and my 2 daughters ! I will help spread the word also !
It’s amazing what the mom blog community can do. So glad that you posted this
My heart goes out to them more than I could have imagined. When Beth said, “He is healthy, or so I thought. How do you go from a limp to leukemia?” It touched me and I now have to help her. I know what she’s going through and it’s NOT a good feeling. I have to help her and other bloggers in need. Please purchase a bracelet guys. We can do so much good in the blogging community! We ARE family after all