Everett (Rett) is an amazing five year old who was diagnosed with pre B ALL January 2011 after low grade fevers and colds throughout the last few months of 2010. He has spent 36 days inpatient and even more days feeling ill, but he is kicking cancer to the curb, one leukemia cell at a time. Did you know that he had approximately 1 billion leukemia cells at the time of diagnosis? He went into remission about a month later, but still had about 1 million cancer cells floating around his body. Kids like Rett have to battle this disease for two years or more to get rid of all of those cells. The chemotherapy that kills these cells also cause short-term problems and long-term effects...he WILL win the battle, but will probably have battle scars. Rett is a superhero!
Life with cancer makes us acutely aware of how precious each day is. Every night that we are sleeping under the same roof is a reason to celebrate. Our family is forever changed by this journey. Most days are filled with JOY…and we are squeezing every drop of joy out of each day. We live each day to the fullest, but we love our lives and feel incredibly blessed.
There is no good cancer. No one wants to live the life we've lived. Even though Rett’s journey has had very few bumps, we wouldn't wish this disease on anyone. A recent study showed that the 5 year event free survival for ALL was 90% and for Rett’s particular type it is over 95%. That is encouraging. Unfortunately, I don’t get to keep 95% of him– it’s all or nothing.
The journey is long and uncertain but our faith in God has sustained us and we continue to feel an abundance of God's grace. "And we know that in all things God works for good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
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