Justin's Road to Recovery
Donation protected
This is Justin, born on February 14, 2012 to the parents Joanna and Humberto Cortaza. Justin is currently 3 years old and will turning 4 very soon. He is the most outgoing, lively, fun loving child any parent can be blessed with. He has a little sister name Leila, who is now 1 1/2 years old. He love s anything Disney but most of all Buzz Lightyear/Woody from Toys Story, Lighting McQueen from Cars and of course the popular Ninja Turtles. On January 4, 2016 Justin's life has turned for the worse.
Here is his story:
Upon returning from a trip to Disney World, Florida Justin began have periodic fevers. October 28, 2015 he was take to the ER after a 4-day fever with no other systems and discharged with a virus. His parents were agitated with the doctors insisting there was something not right only to be sent home advising to give him Motrin an let it pass. On November 30, after a great playful weekend with his cousin, he began having a fever episode that lasted another four days. His parents brought him to his pediatrician advising once again there was something wrong to no avail. After being given Amoxicillin for fluid in his ear he was sent home. These fever episodes continued into December to great frustration for both Justin and his parents.
On Sunday, January 3, 2015, Justin began another episode. His parents gave him Mortin and scheduled an appointment for his pediatrician on Tuesday January 5th. However, his parents couldn’t wait. Monday night Justin was complaining of stomach pain, joint pain along with his fever non-stop which caused great worry; they took him back to the hospital but this time they were not leaving without a blood test. It was that moment when the doctor first evaluated Justin. Upon listening to Justin's history the doctor (who was a saint) requested an X-ray and blood work. "Justin say cheese," his parents told him so he wont be scared by the X-ray machine.
Result were in within the hour; his spleen was enlarged, blood count was 3.5 of the normal 12, and platelets were 12 of normal 150. It was then Justin was sent to Radiology for an Ultrasound and was attached to an IV. Now his parents are really worried. "Justin that’s your Buzz Lightyear gun," his parents told him when getting an IV so he wouldn't be scared. Justin was scared already, and ended up crying himself to sleep, hugging his fathers neck while getting the ultrasound, when another doctor came introducing herself as Dr. Kahn from the Pediatric Oncology Team. That’s when reality started to set in.
Due to his low levels Justin was put in PICU and was given two blood transfusions and one platelet transfusion Monday night into Tuesday morning in preparation was Tuesday mid-morning test. That day their lives were turned upside down. After removing a piece of his Bone Marrow one Tuesday and a Spinal Tap on Wednesday Justin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and began Chemotherapy Wednesday afternoon. Meetings were held educating the family on his diagnosis and treatment plans to deafening ears. All this information given on a day that should have been spent in happiness for it was his mothers 25th birthday with fathers birthday coming the following week. What parent wants to hear the word Cancer?
Justin will be undergoing treatment for up to 3 1/2 years with the first 8 months being the most intense. Something no one was prepared for both emotional and financially. Day one: January 6, 2016
Our Plea: With the understanding of all parties (family, friends employer) we have come up with a plan that will make him most comfortable in the comfort of his own home (when discharged from ICU). While Justin is undergoing treatment one of his parents will stay with him either at the hospital or at home until he is well enough to return to school and go about life as any other child. This plan however comes with great sacrifice. Justin's life as well as his families will change in such a drastic way that he will need monitoring 24/7, due to potential infections, fevers, secondary cancers (rare) mini strokes etc. as well as maintaining the common Chemotherpy side effects in order keep him comfortable during his fight.
We are reaching our hands out to the community for support for this new life style we will endure. As the family will both finically and emotionally be affected for the estimated 3 1/2 years of treatment. Updates will be posted bi-weekly for friends and family to follow. Any and all help is much appreciated as we are forever blessed and thankful to have the support of our family friends, the community as well as for Justin’s healthcare team.
.
(NYE 16')
If you would like to donate to the cancer research
please click link attached:
Children's Cancer Research
Should anyone have any questions or concern and would like additional information please feel free to ask.
This is just a battle- we WILL win this war!
Here is his story:
Upon returning from a trip to Disney World, Florida Justin began have periodic fevers. October 28, 2015 he was take to the ER after a 4-day fever with no other systems and discharged with a virus. His parents were agitated with the doctors insisting there was something not right only to be sent home advising to give him Motrin an let it pass. On November 30, after a great playful weekend with his cousin, he began having a fever episode that lasted another four days. His parents brought him to his pediatrician advising once again there was something wrong to no avail. After being given Amoxicillin for fluid in his ear he was sent home. These fever episodes continued into December to great frustration for both Justin and his parents.
On Sunday, January 3, 2015, Justin began another episode. His parents gave him Mortin and scheduled an appointment for his pediatrician on Tuesday January 5th. However, his parents couldn’t wait. Monday night Justin was complaining of stomach pain, joint pain along with his fever non-stop which caused great worry; they took him back to the hospital but this time they were not leaving without a blood test. It was that moment when the doctor first evaluated Justin. Upon listening to Justin's history the doctor (who was a saint) requested an X-ray and blood work. "Justin say cheese," his parents told him so he wont be scared by the X-ray machine.
Result were in within the hour; his spleen was enlarged, blood count was 3.5 of the normal 12, and platelets were 12 of normal 150. It was then Justin was sent to Radiology for an Ultrasound and was attached to an IV. Now his parents are really worried. "Justin that’s your Buzz Lightyear gun," his parents told him when getting an IV so he wouldn't be scared. Justin was scared already, and ended up crying himself to sleep, hugging his fathers neck while getting the ultrasound, when another doctor came introducing herself as Dr. Kahn from the Pediatric Oncology Team. That’s when reality started to set in.
Due to his low levels Justin was put in PICU and was given two blood transfusions and one platelet transfusion Monday night into Tuesday morning in preparation was Tuesday mid-morning test. That day their lives were turned upside down. After removing a piece of his Bone Marrow one Tuesday and a Spinal Tap on Wednesday Justin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and began Chemotherapy Wednesday afternoon. Meetings were held educating the family on his diagnosis and treatment plans to deafening ears. All this information given on a day that should have been spent in happiness for it was his mothers 25th birthday with fathers birthday coming the following week. What parent wants to hear the word Cancer?
Justin will be undergoing treatment for up to 3 1/2 years with the first 8 months being the most intense. Something no one was prepared for both emotional and financially. Day one: January 6, 2016
Our Plea: With the understanding of all parties (family, friends employer) we have come up with a plan that will make him most comfortable in the comfort of his own home (when discharged from ICU). While Justin is undergoing treatment one of his parents will stay with him either at the hospital or at home until he is well enough to return to school and go about life as any other child. This plan however comes with great sacrifice. Justin's life as well as his families will change in such a drastic way that he will need monitoring 24/7, due to potential infections, fevers, secondary cancers (rare) mini strokes etc. as well as maintaining the common Chemotherpy side effects in order keep him comfortable during his fight.
We are reaching our hands out to the community for support for this new life style we will endure. As the family will both finically and emotionally be affected for the estimated 3 1/2 years of treatment. Updates will be posted bi-weekly for friends and family to follow. Any and all help is much appreciated as we are forever blessed and thankful to have the support of our family friends, the community as well as for Justin’s healthcare team.
.
(NYE 16')
If you would like to donate to the cancer research
please click link attached:
Children's Cancer Research
Should anyone have any questions or concern and would like additional information please feel free to ask.
This is just a battle- we WILL win this war!
Organizer
Joanna Bosques
Organizer
North Haledon, NJ
