Jacob's War on Leukemia

Jacob began experiencing severe knee pains and high fevers after starting pre-kindergarten in September of 2003; a far cry from the happy, healthy little boy with endless energy his family once knew. His parents spent the next several months visiting numerous doctors and specialists who performed various tests and tried every medication, even those made especially for him. With no changes or diagnosis, it wasnt long before Jacob could no longer walk and his rashes and fevers continued while his blood work continued to reveal nothing.

Just before Memorial Day in 2004, when Jacob went to his pediatrician with a fever of 104, blood work revealed serious abnormalities in his white cell counts. His family raced to a waiting oncologist at Westchester Medical Center where blood tests, a spinal tap and a bone marrow biopsy revealed that Jacob had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The day after his diagnosis, Jacob had a port-a-cath surgically inserted into his chest, followed by his first dose of chemotherapy.

A week later, his family returned to the area and Jacob was admitted to Albany Medical Center to continue his chemotherapy and treatment. For the next three and a half years, his family watched and waited as he underwent over thirty spinal taps and received countless medications. The hospital became their home away from home.

In 2007, Jacob entered the second grade cancer free where he had perfect attendance and started on the road to a normal life with his family. Unfortunately, the next year brought the flu, pneumonia and muscle pains, resulting in a month long absence from school. At his regular appointments, his oncologist was watching his cell counts and one week after his ninth birthday, Jacob needed another bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap; the next day, his family learned that the leukemia was back and they returned to their life in the cancer world.

Since his relapse, Jacob has spent every weekend as an inpatient and missed over half the school year to undergo week long chemotherapy, as well as blood and platelet transfusions. Due to his allergic reaction to the main chemotherapy drug, they have altered the standard plan of care. Jacob and his family are uncertain where the road ahead will lead them, but they go forward month by month with the treatment plan and pray for the best.

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[Rachgless]

I am here for you Jacob - keep the faith - I stuggle too - but have different issues but all problems can be like cancer in one way or another. Just stay strong and love God my friend. I will too :) We'll do that together ok?