One year since we went to our pediatrician’s office for the red spots on his neck. One year since we were sent to get blood work done. One year since we were rushed off to Lutheran General to get more extensive testing done. One year since we first heard the words “there is something wrong with his blood work.” One year since we met an Oncologist. One year since we heard “CANCER”. One year since “acute lymphoblastic leukemia” became a common household phrase. One year ago, today our seemingly perfectly healthy 20-month-old Lukas was diagnosed with cancer. ​It’s been one year since our entire ..read more

One year since we went to our pediatrician’s office for the red spots on his neck. One year since we were sent to get blood work done. One year since we were rushed off to Lutheran General to get more extensive testing done. One year since we first heard the words “there is something wrong with his blood work.” One year since we met an Oncologist. One year since we heard “CANCER”. One year since we heard “acute lymphoblastic leukemia”. One year ago, today our seemingly perfectly healthy 20-month-old Lukas was diagnosed with cancer. ​It’s been one year since our entire world as we knew it fel ..read more

The other day, I was having lunch with some friends. We were talking, laughing, and sharing stories and anecdotes of our lives. Somehow, we got on the topic of heath and subsequently, cancer. Ever since I have been thrown into the “cancer world,” I strive to gain as much knowledge as possible so I can educate others and be a valuable resource to the cancer community. Becoming a childhood cancer advocate is a newfound priority in my life. I want people to know the horrible realities. I want people to understand what these children go through each day. I want people to realize that treatment la ..read more

Day 56 of 56 – Interim Maintenance II Oct 11th- Dec 9th Interim Maintenance II is 56 days long and it is the fifth phase of frontline treatment. Frontline is the initial portion of the 3.5 year treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Chemo Holds: 1 week for a low ANC - so no spinal Days Spent Impatient: NONE! Expect one ER visit for a Nursemaids Elbow Medical Details: • 2 intrathecal chemo doses via lumbar puncture • 5 doses of IV chemo, Vincristine and Methotrexate • The IV Methotrexate is escalated based on blood results, beginning at 2/3 the highest dose reached during IM1, so Lukas ..read more

Day 63 of 56 - Delayed Intensification Delayed Intensification is 56 days long and it is the fourth phase of frontline treatment. Frontline is the initial portion of the 3.5 year treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Chemo Holds: 1 (added an extra week on to the treatment) Days Spent Impatient: Days 4-5 Days 48-52 Medical Details: • 2 intrathecal chemo doses via lumbar puncture • 8 doses of IV chemo, Vincristine, Pegaspargase, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin. • 8 at home doses of chemo, Cytarabine (ARA-C) • 14 Days of oral chemo, Thioguanine. • 2 weeks spent neutropenic (ANC 0 ..read more

​Lukas, you don’t know me, but my heart breaks for you. Only two years old with so much more life to live ahead of you. I spent a lot of time contemplating why in the world this happened to you, and why it happens to so many children like you. Reiterating the concept of childhood cancer triggers many unfavorable emotions: hopelessness, anger, despair, and somberness. While I was experiencing these emotions in a wave of perplexity, I paused a moment to try and comprehend what your mother must be feeling. If my mind was struggling to find a light at the end of this very bleak tunnel, I could onl ..read more

Of all the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that run through a parent’s head once they hear the diagnosis that their child has cancer – this one always plagues us— “What do I tell my child(ren)?” Fearful that telling our children might upset them more or make it worse for our kids, we withhold telling them. Truth be told, that even at a small age, children can pick up on emotions and the feeling that something is wrong. If not told the truth, they might think things are much worse than they really are and not know how to express their own emotions causing fear, worry, and anxiety in the child ..read more

In March of 2019, I took my sweet almost 2-year-old, Lukas, to the pediatrician for strange marks on his neck and body. The pediatrician seemed concerned and ordered blood work. We were sent to the local hospital to get his blood drawn. We had no idea that in the next 24 hours our lives were going to drastically turn upside down.  The tests revealed our son’s platelets were low and his white blood cells were high, so a direct admittance to the hospital was recommended. After further tests were done at the hospital, we received the shocking diagnosis that our tiny toddler, who loved playing w ..read more