Blake's Leukemia Journey

 

 

Over the last 2-4 weeks, Matt and Shelley Gammon have seen an energy decrease in their 8 year old, Blake. They didn't think to much of it, especially while growing as much as Blake has the last few months. His legs and hips hurt. They assumed it was just growing pains. Headaches were frequent as well but they thought possibly he was just dehydrated. Out of nowhere, he turned pale yellow. Even his lips and tongue. They decided to get a full blood panel done.

 

On September 29 at 3:30 they went in for blood work. At 8:00pm the same day, the doctor called and said he made an appointment at St. Luke's to see an Oncologist. Then he said the most devastating thing Matt and Shelley ever heard. "Blake has cancer." Those words completely shattered Matt and Shelley.  So in the blink of an eye, Blake was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This type of Leukemia has the highest cure rate which we're praising God for!

 

On October 1, Blake had surgery to put a permanent chemo port in his chest. The procedure went flawlessly! While he was put under, they did a chemo round directly into his spinal cord.

 

So what's next?

Blake will be on chemo through his port for the first eight months as well as other needed medication.  The first month he will have weekly chemo appointments at Children's Pediatric Oncology.  These appointments will slowly get further apart or closer together depending on how he is doing.  After that, Matt and Shelley will be administering chemo pills and other medications at home for years to come. 

 

We need to rally around Matt, Shelley, Jackson and Blake. Praying is foremost the most important thing we can be doing for them. In Matthew 18:20, it says: "For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I with them."

 

Matt and Shelley are going to be undertaking a huge financial responsibility. It will be a difficult journey with countless hours off from work, to tutors for Blake when he can't be in school, and everything in-between. If you feel led to give, I know the Gammon's would be forever grateful.

 

Check back here for updates on Blake during this process.