Just received devastating news...

[MissMet]

My Uncle has been battling cancer for over the last year. He goes through treatments and gets a good report and then it comes right back again and worse than before. Over the last month all of his cancer was gone except for the original lump on his neck. They said they could remove that by operation, but need to give him a little time off the chemo to get his strength back before the surgery. Well it's started to come back again. He's really been in bad shape over this last week. Then his grandson (my 2nd cousin) was rushed to the hospital Friday night with bad stomach cramps. They did tests & didn't find anything, but were waiting for the blood work. Well the blood work came back and we were told that my 7 year old, 2nd cousin Timmy was diagnosed with Leukemia.

My poor cousin has been watching his father for over a year suffering from cancer & now his son has cancer. And to make it even harder they have to get rid of their three dogs because of Timmy's immune system. They started his chemo today via a spinal tap.

We are just devastated and in shock. This is just too much.

My cousin with his son Timmy. Please keep them in your prayers!


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[rainydayplay]

Sending prayers up for your family. Words are never enough.

 

[minniebeth]

I'm so sorry for your news. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

I am so sorry. As my mom lay dying of cancer of the 4th floor of the hospital (at age 55), my nephew was born on the 2nd floor. Mom died one month later.

Fast forward eight years and that same nephew was diagnosed with ALL leukemia. He and his family immediately moved to Houston and spent a year living near MD Anderson cancer hospital where he was treated. The first year was a tough battle, but he survived the leukemia and has been cancer free for five or six years. He just graduated from high school last month and is a healthy, happy 18 year old about to begin college on a guitar scholarship.

Just wanted to give you some encouragement and say that most childrens' leukemias are very treatable. Of course there will be some tough times but his chances of being totally cured are probably extremely good. Just be there for your cousin and your uncle. Do everything to help make their lives easier, and give them moral support. They can survive this and come out a stronger person. The most important thing with Timmy is to make sure he has the best doctors and treatment that money can buy. That is why we went to MD Anderson hospital. Another excellent cancer hospital is St. Jude's Children's hospital. Don't get treatment at a hospital that is convenient for you, go to the best.

Best of luck to your family in their journey to overcoming this disease.

 

[Notatourist]

Getting rid of the dogs? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Put the dogs in another room. Put ill child somewhere where the dander won't get to him, but the trauma of cancer on top of losing the dogs will do more harm than it's it worth.

I know this, I'm currently going through chemo.

Edited-Sorry, got a little emotional. Missmet, my best to your cousin. It stinks when the kids go through it, but they come out stronger on the other side.

 

[maslex]

So sorry for horrible news. I know words don't mean much but our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[Dan Murphy]

So sorry to hear this, MissMet, about little Timmy, and your uncle also. Both are in my prayers for a full and speedy remission.

 

[SandrA9810]

sounds like my father's family. My grandfather got thyroid cancer and then my aunt got colon cancer. They both died within a couple months of each other late last year.
It's strange how when it gets bad it's gets really bad.

At least luekemia seems to be very treatable as long as he responds well to chemo. Hopefully they'll be able to give each other strength to fight even harder.

 

[krcit]

Getting rid of the dogs? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Put the dogs in another room. Put ill child somewhere where the dander won't get to him, but the trauma of cancer on top of losing the dogs will do more harm than it's it worth.

I know this, I'm currently going through chemo.

I'm sorry that you are going through chemo and I hope you make a full recovery. However, really? I would think that the family is listening to their doctors and doing what is best for their son.

OP, that is terrible news. I'm so sorry for what your afmily is going through. My best friends ds had ALL leukemia when he was 18 months old. He is now a healthy, happy 15 year old boy. I will keep your family in my prayers for a full recovery.

 

[luvmythree]

I realize this is my first post and I've lurked enough to know that most people don't post their first post on the CB but your story caught my eye.

My 4 year old nephew was diagnosed 5 years ago with ALL *Acute Lymphoblasitc Lukemia*. It was a sad and scary time for all of us involved. He is now a very healthy 9 year old boy who is full of life and energy. My brother and his family didn't get rid of their dogs and he did just fine. They had people come in and scrub their house down really well before he came home from the hospital each time and he didn't seem to have any issues with it. The hardest part was when they put him on steroids and he blew up like a balloon with mood swings and a voracious appetite.

I'm also sorry to hear about your uncle. Cancer stinks for sure!!!!

 

[kieras nana]

my 12 year old niece,was diagnosed with leukemia,last sept.
she had a stem cell transplant,in april & she is doing well.it has been,a few tough months,but one thing,she really looked forward to,after every stay in hospital,was getting home to molly,her beloved dog.molly really lifted her spirits,during some really tough times.saying that,if that is what has been advised,for timmys health,i wouldn't go against that.
hope everything turns at well.stay strong
tracy

 

[Planogirl]

I'm so sorry to read all of this. I'll be hoping for good new for both.

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh, MissMet, I'm sorry for your cousin's family. I will keep them in my prayers.

 

[Buckalew11]

Prayers for your family. This is sad news and news hard to take. The photo of Timmy touched my heart.

 

[NHAnn]

I am so sorry your family is going through this. In 2005 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. About a year after my treatments ended in late 2006, my then-5 year old grandson was diagnosed with leukemia (A.L.L.). So I know the toll it takes on an individual and a family. My grandson's treatment was more than 3 years in length and some pretty scary times with infections at the outset, but I am happy to report he is in complete remission since February of this year.

I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Have hope, have faith and have courage.

 

[heatherleigh]

I'm so sorry to hear this, and they will both be in my prayers. My aunt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer less than 2 mos ago, so this really hits home. My kids & I just went up to visit her and got to spend lots of time with her, which I'll always cherish. I HATE cancer & hope a cure will be found in my kids' lifetime.

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm so sorry...I wish your family the best. My thoughts are with them!

 

[C.Ann]

I'm so sorry that your family is going through this and I will certainly keep them in my thoughts and prayers..

However, I do have to comment on the "get rid of the dogs" post outrage/outburst.. I love animals as much as the next person, but really?? I think a little boy's life takes top priority in this situation..

 

[MissMet]

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, thoughts & prayers!! It really means so much!!

These past couple of days have been a tough one for Timmy. He had to have bone marrow, a spinal tap & then two large shots, one in each thigh. The shots are a once a month thing for his entire treatment, which were told is going to be three and a half to four years. He has ALL Leukemia. His subcategory of ALL is a rough. They said he is 90% "infected" with the disease. I'm still not sure whether they meant his blood or his cells are 90% infected.

They are shaving his head today 'cause we're told his hair will begin to fall out by tomorrow & we think that will be more traumatic for him. They still haven't told him or his two older sisters that it is cancer because of their Grandfather. As of now they've been told that Timmy's blood is sick & it is written all over his chart to not to use the C word. However, thankfully, they decided that they are going to tell them it is cancer. They were gonna try & hide that fact from the three of them. IMO, not wise, but I think they were just going on emotions at that point. So a counselor from the hospital is going to sit them down & tell them. Which I also am very happy to hear.

As for the dogs. My cousin has three. One is his oldest daughter's who is adopted. She is in her early teens and has begun to have some problems with the idea of her being adopted, so they got her a tiny tea cup Chihuahua to be hers, to love & take care of. Since getting the dog she has really been doing a lot better & has been having a lot less outbursts. The spoke to the doctors about this and asked if there was a way that they could keep at least the Chihuahua. The doctors said that they should only keep that one, as long as it is confined to her room, that Timmy never goes in that room & if the dog leaves the room it must be carried. That is basically already what happens with that dog anyway, so they'll be able to keep the one, but the other two must go.

Timmy & his parents have not seen 90% of our family, including their two daughters in almost a week! One of our family members has Shingles and anyone who has been in direct or even indirect contact with them can't be near Timmy or anyone else who is in contact with Timmy. Unfortunately that person's wife came to visit the rest of the family & helped watch the girls, so it's been real tough!

Again, thank you all!!