Holden's Heroic Battle w/ Leukemia
Donation protected
FINDING OUT
On Thursday, February 8, 2018, Jamie Zarda, my very best friend that I have known for 23 years, was told that her son Holden had Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Holden was sick off and on for almost 3 weeks prior with flu like symptoms. He did get better- was back at school, but the weakness and a fever returned on Tuesday February 6th and he was sent home. That day they went to the walk-in clinic where strep, mono and pneumonia were ruled out. Wednesday came where he stayed home with grandma. Jamie noticed a rash on Holden's stomach the next morning; also noticing that his tongue was white. Seeing this she took the day off and decided to go directly to the hospital with Holden to test everything until they figured it out. Imagine yourself, waiting for results all the while thinking it was something much more manageable and then hearing the most gut-wrenching news of your life. To say the least Jamie was devastated. She told me as crazy as it sounded she felt she was out of body. It felt dreamlike until it hit her that she was there, and this was real. While Holden waited in the doctor's office, Jamie, not wanting to leave his side, had to walk away to make the dreadful call to her husband, Kevin, to let him know. I learned later that upon hearing Jamie crying on the other end, Kevin was beside himself and literally drop to his knees sobbing while at a job site, learning his youngest of 4 was going to have to go through THE toughest time in his life.
HOLDEN & FAMILY
Holden, who is 9, is one of the spunkiest, energetic, goofball kids I have ever known. Man, he is a lot of fun to be around! He never likes to see people hurt. He loves his momma, adores his daddy, when able to- enjoys seeing his big sister Tosha. And even though they bicker like the best of them- he loves his brothers Hunter and Hayden! Nothing better than hanging with your big bros! Holden enjoys everything from wrestling, 4 wheelers, snowmobiling and demo derbies to football, baseball, video games, trampolines and scary movies! Like every kid- he should be enjoying these things day in and day out (as well as keeping up his grades) ;). But now, all that stuff- all the stuff a 9-year-old SHOULD be doing is going to have to be put aside for a while as he slays cancer!! He has already gone through bone marrow testing, getting his picc line in, chemo in his lumbar, and on February 9th- he received his first real full round of chemo. From what his mom told me, they have been warned- this is the easiest round compared to what is yet to come. The next 3 years he will have to endure without question, some of the most unpleasant things in this world all while trying to make sense of it. But- Holden is a tough, bullheaded, strong little boy and he WILL beat this beast!
WHATS TO COME & HELP NEEDED
While Jamie and Kevin must be there for Holden- work and jobs will be put aside for the time being. Jamie and Kevin have their 2 other boys and a household as well to care for. Meanwhile, there will be weekly hospital visits over 3 hours away, there will be the daily medications to administer, a picc line to flush and records to keep. Like the rest of us, the house payment and regular bills will still linger, and with this awful journey, they will only pile up. With the upcoming 3 years of multiple medication costs and medical bills, having money on hand will be the utmost of importance. Until they can return to work, and get into their new routine, daily expenses will also be hard to manage right now.
Mom Jamie learning/training for the at home cleaning and flushing of Holden's picc line:
I am asking you to PLEASE help take some of the financial burdens off the Zarda family so that they can focus all their attention to helping Holden heal and fight this horrible disease. Their family needs us, and the appreciation will be immense.
Thank you so, so much for your support. Even $5 goes a long way and will add up. If you cannot help financially that is totally understandable but I would request, please take the time to share The Zarda's story either way! And pray! Prayers would be amazing! Thanks:) Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to assist them in any other way. God Bless! - Jaime Regnas
#ZARDASTRONG #HOLDENSLAYS
On Thursday, February 8, 2018, Jamie Zarda, my very best friend that I have known for 23 years, was told that her son Holden had Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Holden was sick off and on for almost 3 weeks prior with flu like symptoms. He did get better- was back at school, but the weakness and a fever returned on Tuesday February 6th and he was sent home. That day they went to the walk-in clinic where strep, mono and pneumonia were ruled out. Wednesday came where he stayed home with grandma. Jamie noticed a rash on Holden's stomach the next morning; also noticing that his tongue was white. Seeing this she took the day off and decided to go directly to the hospital with Holden to test everything until they figured it out. Imagine yourself, waiting for results all the while thinking it was something much more manageable and then hearing the most gut-wrenching news of your life. To say the least Jamie was devastated. She told me as crazy as it sounded she felt she was out of body. It felt dreamlike until it hit her that she was there, and this was real. While Holden waited in the doctor's office, Jamie, not wanting to leave his side, had to walk away to make the dreadful call to her husband, Kevin, to let him know. I learned later that upon hearing Jamie crying on the other end, Kevin was beside himself and literally drop to his knees sobbing while at a job site, learning his youngest of 4 was going to have to go through THE toughest time in his life.
HOLDEN & FAMILY
Holden, who is 9, is one of the spunkiest, energetic, goofball kids I have ever known. Man, he is a lot of fun to be around! He never likes to see people hurt. He loves his momma, adores his daddy, when able to- enjoys seeing his big sister Tosha. And even though they bicker like the best of them- he loves his brothers Hunter and Hayden! Nothing better than hanging with your big bros! Holden enjoys everything from wrestling, 4 wheelers, snowmobiling and demo derbies to football, baseball, video games, trampolines and scary movies! Like every kid- he should be enjoying these things day in and day out (as well as keeping up his grades) ;). But now, all that stuff- all the stuff a 9-year-old SHOULD be doing is going to have to be put aside for a while as he slays cancer!! He has already gone through bone marrow testing, getting his picc line in, chemo in his lumbar, and on February 9th- he received his first real full round of chemo. From what his mom told me, they have been warned- this is the easiest round compared to what is yet to come. The next 3 years he will have to endure without question, some of the most unpleasant things in this world all while trying to make sense of it. But- Holden is a tough, bullheaded, strong little boy and he WILL beat this beast!
WHATS TO COME & HELP NEEDED
While Jamie and Kevin must be there for Holden- work and jobs will be put aside for the time being. Jamie and Kevin have their 2 other boys and a household as well to care for. Meanwhile, there will be weekly hospital visits over 3 hours away, there will be the daily medications to administer, a picc line to flush and records to keep. Like the rest of us, the house payment and regular bills will still linger, and with this awful journey, they will only pile up. With the upcoming 3 years of multiple medication costs and medical bills, having money on hand will be the utmost of importance. Until they can return to work, and get into their new routine, daily expenses will also be hard to manage right now.
Mom Jamie learning/training for the at home cleaning and flushing of Holden's picc line:
I am asking you to PLEASE help take some of the financial burdens off the Zarda family so that they can focus all their attention to helping Holden heal and fight this horrible disease. Their family needs us, and the appreciation will be immense.
Thank you so, so much for your support. Even $5 goes a long way and will add up. If you cannot help financially that is totally understandable but I would request, please take the time to share The Zarda's story either way! And pray! Prayers would be amazing! Thanks:) Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to assist them in any other way. God Bless! - Jaime Regnas
#ZARDASTRONG #HOLDENSLAYS
Organizer
Jaime Regnas
Organizer
Oshkosh, WI
