Erik's Cancer Journey.m4v

This slideshow depicts our son's battle with AML Leukemia.
He underwent an intensive period of chemotherapy, and is currently in remission and doing very well.
He was only 2 years old when diagnosed with the dreaded disease, he turned three at the hospital and recently, he celebrated his fourth birthday in Disney World, on his "Make-a-Wish" trip.
He was admitted to the hospital on March 21, 2010 and released on Sept. 17, 2010.
Coincidentally, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
As a gesture of our profound gratitude for his survival, we hosted a large celebration on the one-year anniversary of his release form the hospital.
He is now in preschool and living his life like any other healthy little boy.
We are very proud of him and lucky to have him in our lives.
We thank God every day.
Every day is gift and a reminder that we cannot take anything for granted.

ABOUT LEUKEMIA:
* Leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer.
* There are two general types of leukemia: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

According to research studies on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL):
* Most children with leukemia have ALL.
* It is a cancer of the lymphoid cells in the bone marrow and the lymphoid organs of the body.
* It requires a lengthy protocol for treatment, lasting approximately 3 years, with much of that time being spent outside of the hospital.
* Treatment generally consists of chemotherapy and radiation.
* With a survival rate of about 85%, ALL is one of the most curable of childhood cancers.

According to research studies on Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML):
* It's a relatively rare disease, accounting for only 1.2% of cancer deaths.
* It is especially rare in children. Generally, it occurs around the age of 60.
* It is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow, causing a drop in red blood cells, platelets, and normal white blood cells.
* AML progresses rapidly and is typically fatal within weeks or months, if left untreated.
* Fifty years ago there was no cure.
* Thanks to research in the past 25 years, children with AML now have survival rates of about 50-60%.
* Five-year survival varies from 15--70%, and relapse varies from 33-78%.
* Treatment consists primarily of chemotherapy and, in some cases, a bone marrow transplant.
* AML therapy is very intensive. Although caregivers strive to prevent dangerous complications, particularly infections, unfortunately, up to 10% of children with AML may die from the toxicity of treatment.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Childhood
• Cancer
• AML
• Leukemia
• Alberta
• Children's
• Hospital

[richmondrk2]

Thank you for posting, this made me bawl my eyes out! My 3-year-old son is just capping off his AML treatment with a stem cell transplant in Toronto and this brought back so many memories! He also has two brothers close in age. God Bless you and keep you!

[MegaSidneycrosby87]

you are my inspiration Erik:) thank you for posting this:) You are a true fighter!!!