"Your child has cancer!" Words no parent ever wants to hear but we did and it was devastating!! Summer 2018 was a normal summer. Madison had just finished a spring softball season and we were enjoying the summer in the pool! Madison started using her left arm less and less until she completely stopped using it on July 2. We rushed her to the doctor, from there seeing doctor after doctor until August 9 when we were told to get her to the ER right away. She had started sleeping for much of the day and that was concerning. After an extended stay at CHOR, we learned Madison had not one, but two tumors in her brain. She underwent 4 rounds of chemo and the entire month of February in radiation. To put that summary in writing seems like it was easy but it was far from it. Madison developed appendicitis just after round 1 of chemo, which landed her back in the hospital for a week. Then fever after fever, which automatically meant at least 2 days at our home away from home because her immune system was never strong enough to fight even the slightest of illnesses. Between round 3 and 4, Madison ran a fever and was admitted like usual. This time was different. She had typhlitis, an illness that only occurs when counts are low. During that stay, her sodium skyrocketed and we ended up in the PICU for a week trying to stabalize it. She had more blood and platelet transfusions than I can count and spent more hours in the clinic with her favorite nurses than we spent at home for the time she was in treatment. While we stayed so positive throughout the entire nightmare, losing her wasn't far from our minds. Every chemo, every fever, every scan, they always brought so much fear!
In July 2019, just after Madison had finished treatment and was declared cancer-free, she lost her chemo bestie. Even when things are so great for one child, they aren't for another. Madison was devastated at Peyton's passing. She still is. I'm not sure how she stays as strong as she does. We continue now to live our lives for to "Pey it Forward" and will always live for Peyton!
We're incredibly thankful for all that ASK has done to help our family. From gas cards to a pick-me-up on a bad day, ASK had us covered! We will forever participate in all fundraisers and events that we can to support ASK because childhood cancer doesn't stop and neither does ASK, so neither will we! Help us help ASK and the kids who are fighting their biggest battles!