Updated: 7/20/26

On February 26th, 2026 Wade rang the bell "cancer free" at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, fast forward to our 3 month scan after being declared cancer free, we went in for the MRI/PET/CT scans on June 4th, 2026 we were hit with the news that Wade's cancer is back. His cancer is still on the left side of his arm/shoulder and did not spread anywhere else in his body. However, that still leads us to many unknowns. If this was left over from previous surgery from August 2025 or is this new cells that developed after we finished treatment.

Surgery was recommended as the best first step, we quickly scheduled his surgery and on July 9th, 2026 Wade had surgery on his left shoulder/tricep area and the surgeon removed two large cells along with scatter cancer cells on the skin. He had to have part of his bicep and tricep muscle removed due to the cancer growing into the muscle. The oncologist called and they are still not 100% on the type of cancer but it's looking similar to the rare cancer type that he had from the start. With the recommendations of Cincinnati Children's solid tumor board and doctors across the United States they confirmed the best course of action would be to start with surgery (which is done) and then radiation therapy once healed. With the limited knowledge we have it seems to be the best course of action for this type of cancer. Our oncologist also has spoke with other oncologists around the country about maintenance chemotherapy drugs once radiation is complete. We plan our radiation journey again soon with Cincinnati Children's where we completed our previous 6 week radiation course last year. Since we have started this journey on July 21st 2025 there has been so many unknowns with Wade's Cancer journey and unknown treatment plans. However, we are hopeful and we are always asking questions about what is best for Wade.

Original Post:

Where can I start? On July 21st, 2025 we got a call that no parent ever wants to receive. The doctor called and told us our son had cancer. Since then, he’s been through multiple surgeries to remove tumors and lymph nodes, and dozens of doctor visits and hospital stays. Unfortunately, we don’t have a firm diagnosis since it is such a rare cancer, which means they are planning to be broad and aggressive with treatment.

We plan to split treatment between Akron Children's Hospital and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. He has been positive through all of this and is an inspiration to our family. The support we’ve gotten has been tremendous from our churches, baseball team, family, friends, and employers. Even while it has been rough watching him miss out on so many things a 5-year-old should be able to do, like fall baseball, the first "official" day of kindergarten, and summer fun. Wade loves being outside, riding and driving our Kubota side-by-side, riding tractors, and fishing. He is an amazing, beautiful little boy who we want to be able to provide the best care for, as well as brighten his day whenever we can.

We’ve been blessed as a family in all aspects, but this has shaken us, and we are leaning on our faith, not our own understanding. Cancer can take so much from you and your family that we are only just starting to realize. Getting Wade well is our first and main priority, however, we also want to persevere his quality of life as well. Having the doctor come in and say that he may not be able to have children of his own was crushing and surreal to hear as a father knowing how much of an important element that is for our family. We are looking into persevering his fertility so when he is ready to have kids we are hoping we did our best as parents to give him that option.

This is for family expenses, unexpected expenses, traveling for care, Wade & Paige's (sister) comfort, future and fun, and any medical expenses not covered by insurance.

If you know someone that is more in need, we ask that you donate to their cause instead of ours or to your local church. We ask that if it is any burden at all to donate that you do NOT contribute. This is meant to serve as medium for those who have asked for an easy way to support Wade and our family.