Beat the tank out of cancer

As a parent it's hard to imagine even being in this position of having a child who has cancer. But, as a parent who's child has been dealt the same deal again, really fucking sucks. (Sorry for the bad language.) But, even with all of these feelings of anger, disappointment, fear and sadness - there is hope. Hope that we will beat this once again. Hope that for whatever cruel reason God decided to hand us this card again, that we have faith in the bigger picture. I've said this before, that God only gives you what you can handle - but sometimes its easy to wonder just how strong God thinks you are.

There are two great quotes that I wanted to share about this news and our thinking:

1. Life has a way of testing a persons will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen at once.

2. Wear your tragedies as armor, not as shackles

     We can focus on what we have been dealt and how unfair it is and cry, and be angry and hurt and in despair - but then we need to do what we can to beat this...for the second time. We don't have any other option and we wont allow for any other outcome.

Thank you for all of your love, support and prayers. We need those more than ever now. Please know that each and every comment, text, call and more never go unread, although they may go unanswered for a little while. We have a lot on our plate right now and until we settle into the routine, we may find ourselves wearing thin with time and focus. We are trying to also keep some normalcy in our lives and take care of ourselves as well so that we can be the best parents and support team to our son.

1. His diagnosis is ALL Leukemia, same as last time. He had this at age 3, did 3.5 years of treatment - has been off treatment for 4 years (1 more year shy of being in the clear) - it's the most generic form of childhood leukemia. We found out because he started having unexplained leg pain, like muscle cramps in his legs and he just wasn't acting like his normal self. Never in a million years would I have guessed it was his cancer returning.

2. His diagnosis differs slightly as this time its in his bone marrow and also his spine. This means different treatment than last, slightly more aggressive and they also give it in his spine (he will be asleep for this) He will also only be on treatment for two years total this year, versus the 3.5 he had before.

3. We get to spend the next 5 weeks on what is called "Induction Therapy" at Children's Hospital. He will be getting a port type catheter tomorrow afternoon in his chest (same as before) and will get his first round of chemo. He will lose his hair and all of that in the first few weeks.

4. The next 5 weeks are key - if at the end the cancer is in remission and gone, then we go home (yes!) - if not, then he may need bone marrow transplants (we will post info on how to see if you are a match)

5. The good news is that children who relapse this far after treatment have a great chance of beating this a second time and for good.

6. He is okay He's very sad, and telling him was the most heart breaking this we have ever had to do, but he is very strong. He is, and will always be my hero.

7. How can you have your bone marrow tested just in case? Visit www.bethematch.org and find out what you can do to get in the system. Not only could this potentially be of use to us - but to many other people out there.

Being back in this hospital is a reminder of just how many children and adults are affected by this awful disease. Cancer really is an @sshole. It doesn't discriminate on age, race, financial status, or any other variable. It just shows up. Studies show that sometimes, it can be hereditary and other times its simply just bad luck. Hopefully someday in the near future, we can find a cure to end it permanently for everyone. No one deserves to have to go through it, especially not a child.

We are thankful that we have health care insurance, but there are still so many costs and things we need assistance with. We are hoping to raise money for:

Two years of copays both for visits and meds
Assistance with loss of wages
Kangen Water filters
Air purification systems
Alternative Treatment therapies for when Isaac goes home
And any additional costs that may arise

Any extra monies that we raise and do not use we will donate to a pediatric cancer charity of his  choice.

Thank you again for everything!