Ethan's battle with leukemia
Donation protected
My name is Tracy and I am the mother of Ethan Huston. For a few months Ethan had been sick, but it just seemed like his allergies were acting up. After a while we gave him some allergy medicine and it wasn't working, so we gave him cold medicine thinking it could've just been a common summer cold. After I started to give him this medicine I noticed him looking more pale, he had been complaining of side aches whenever he ate,and he had a loss of energy which, if you know my son that's out of the ordinary. He started to bruise really easily and out of no where. I noticed something wasn't adding up and called the doctor for an appointment. I thought I was just taking him in to get rid of some simple virus or cold, an average Wednesday, little did I know that my baby boy was going to be diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The doctors had us go by ambulance to the children's hospital in Iowa City. When we first arrived the doctors were everywhere, they were coming in for bloodwork and to give him different medicines constantly. As a mother, you can imagine my fear. Especially since we couldn't get answers right away. Muscatine diagnosed Ethan, but Iowa City had to make sure. All of his blood tests were coming back positive for Leukemia. On Thursday the doctors met with Chris, Ethan's father, and I to discuss his condition, treatments, and side effects of the situation. They then came in and answered all of our families questions and talked us through the situation again. It was Thursday we found out it'd be at least a three year battle for Ethan. We have to go up to Iowa City at least once a week for now. If Ethan has a fever, any sickness, or anything out of the ordinary we are going to have to spend 7 days there to ensure his health.
On Friday Ethan got bone marrow tests and spinal fluid tests to see what else needs to be done, among many other pokes for medicines and blood tests. On Saturday they put a port in his chest which will stay there over the course of the next three years for easier access into Ethan's system. From Wednesday night to Saturday Ethan went through 9 blood transfusions and 3 platelet transfusions. He then went through 4 sessions of chemotherapy. We were there for a total of a week and a half.
Ethan is a fighter, and he's been keeping his spirits up. He already started to lose his hair through the chemotherapy which he does every Friday, he complains of his leg hurting from the bone marrow tests and the leukemia. Total so far he's been through 16 blood transfusions and 6 platelets. Just between medicine, gas to and from Iowa City, food, and working 1 to 2 days a week the financial toll is already apparent. We have rent to pay, utilities, and 5 children to take care of on this 1 to 2 days of work. Any financial assistance is much appreciated, I'm not sure as of now how much we'll need completely. The total I have as of now is the estimated cost of gas, food, and medicine over the next three years.
We will be having a benefit for Ethan on September 26th at 11:00 am. It's at Fish Fry Park in New Boston, IL. There will be an auction, a r affle, games for kids, and food (cost for food is by donation).
If you have any questions, something to offer/donate, or would like to volunteer you can contact Lacey Schreurs at [phone redacted] or Lori Huston at [phone redacted]
The doctors had us go by ambulance to the children's hospital in Iowa City. When we first arrived the doctors were everywhere, they were coming in for bloodwork and to give him different medicines constantly. As a mother, you can imagine my fear. Especially since we couldn't get answers right away. Muscatine diagnosed Ethan, but Iowa City had to make sure. All of his blood tests were coming back positive for Leukemia. On Thursday the doctors met with Chris, Ethan's father, and I to discuss his condition, treatments, and side effects of the situation. They then came in and answered all of our families questions and talked us through the situation again. It was Thursday we found out it'd be at least a three year battle for Ethan. We have to go up to Iowa City at least once a week for now. If Ethan has a fever, any sickness, or anything out of the ordinary we are going to have to spend 7 days there to ensure his health.
On Friday Ethan got bone marrow tests and spinal fluid tests to see what else needs to be done, among many other pokes for medicines and blood tests. On Saturday they put a port in his chest which will stay there over the course of the next three years for easier access into Ethan's system. From Wednesday night to Saturday Ethan went through 9 blood transfusions and 3 platelet transfusions. He then went through 4 sessions of chemotherapy. We were there for a total of a week and a half.
Ethan is a fighter, and he's been keeping his spirits up. He already started to lose his hair through the chemotherapy which he does every Friday, he complains of his leg hurting from the bone marrow tests and the leukemia. Total so far he's been through 16 blood transfusions and 6 platelets. Just between medicine, gas to and from Iowa City, food, and working 1 to 2 days a week the financial toll is already apparent. We have rent to pay, utilities, and 5 children to take care of on this 1 to 2 days of work. Any financial assistance is much appreciated, I'm not sure as of now how much we'll need completely. The total I have as of now is the estimated cost of gas, food, and medicine over the next three years.
We will be having a benefit for Ethan on September 26th at 11:00 am. It's at Fish Fry Park in New Boston, IL. There will be an auction, a r affle, games for kids, and food (cost for food is by donation).
If you have any questions, something to offer/donate, or would like to volunteer you can contact Lacey Schreurs at [phone redacted] or Lori Huston at [phone redacted]
Organizer
Tracy McGowan
Organizer
Muscatine, IA
