Finn Strong

On May 17th 2023 our world was turned upside down. Our sweet, funny, energetic 5 year old son Finn was diagnosed with Leukemia. It was as if time stood still. Sitting in the Emergency Room I remember telling the doctors, No… you still need to do more testing to be sure right? They shook their heads and said this is what it is. Everything moved so quickly after that. We were still trying to process this news. It just didn’t feel real. Hearing your child has cancer is literally the last thing we ever thought possible. My husband and I wept while Finn had no idea what was going on. How do you explain cancer to a 5 year old?

Within an hour or so we were moved up to the cancer floor at Rainbow Babies and Children Hospital. We were there for 17 days total. Within 3 days, Finn had to get blood draws every morning which was traumatizing for him. Imagine being in a deep sleep, only to be woken up to get poked and prodded. After the first few days he then had to get a port put in which was his first procedure followed by a lumbar puncture and bone marrow samples. That evening he then had his very first chemo treatment, which really just solidified for us as parents that this is undeniably REAL. So many doctors, nurses, volunteers and staff whom all were extremely incredible during this time was just so overwhelming for us all. Every morning the doctors would do rounds and listening to all the numbers and terms for everything just did not register or make sense for awhile. Nothing felt real…All the talks of different chemo and meds just kept piling up and you wanted to scream and cry.

Watching your child endure so much so fast was one of the hardest things to witness. There is nothing you can do as a parent for your child and you feel so incredibly helpless.

His official diagnosis is B cell acute Leukemia. Which all things considered is the best diagnosis he could get as it has the highest success rate of beating. He has a 95-98% chance of beating this cancer! However, it is a 2 year treatment plan which thus far, has not been easy by any means. He has already endured countless types of chemotherapy, steroids, spinal taps and other medications and shots. Chemotherapy causes a slew of reactions. Mostly for Finn it has been nausea, vomiting, paresthesia and headaches. The steroids caused his tummy and cheeks to swell drastically and makes him extremely hungry and irritable.

We are at the clinic every week, sometimes twice a week. 40 minute drive one way, access to his port every time which involves a needle that goes into his port in his chest. Fortunately we do get to numb it but he still feels the pressure. He then either gets chemotherapy and sometimes 3 types in a day and sometimes his blood counts and platelets are low that he needs a blood or platelet transfusion. While being admitted we found out he has an allergic reaction to platelets so he always needs Benadryl before hand so he doesn’t have a reaction. He has to be extremely careful not to get sick as his body cannot fight infection easily. If he gets a fever, we immediately have to go to the ER and will then be admitted. He learned how to swallow pills, which even after months and months, he still struggles with. So many medications around the clock is tough for a 5 year old.

This summer we had to cancel two family vacations since Finn is not allowed to swim in lakes, oceans or public pools. We had to miss birthday parties for his friends and so many other fun events because his health is of the utmost important and Finn just didn’t understand. He was devastated. It felt like we really had to keep him in a bubble.

Finn was supposed to start Kindergarten in the fall. That was put on pause… He did however, get to go for a few weeks but still had to miss days because of treatment and then was taken out for intensive chemotherapy in October and not sure if and when he will be able to go back. I am thankful he has a little brother, Bear who is 3 he can play with…. But Finn misses his friends and being able to go and play anywhere like a normal kid.

Finn started to lose his hair in October and it happened so quickly. I would run my fingers through his long blond hair, and one night more pieces came out. We cried….Every morning his pillow would be covered in hair. Finn seemed to be okay, but then one day he just cried and cried. He loved his long hair and he told me he felt ugly and it shattered my hear to hear him say that. No child, EVER, should have to feel like that or say that about themselves.

Today, Finn is in good spirits, but there are still good and bad days. I am thankful for how well he is doing all things considered. He has truly shown us TRUE STRENGTH. He is a WARRIOR beyond belief!

We know we need help. Your donations will help us immensely with medical bills that are already piling up and will continue to do so for the next 2 years. Anything is greatly appreciated. My husband has a seasonal job so the winter months are starting to receive less and less work and my job can only help pay for so much.

Ourselves and especially Finn will be forever grateful.

We will keep you posted on his Cancer journey. Blessed be.