Help Ethan fight Leukemia

Hello, my name is Lauren Keiffer and for those of you who don't know me I am Ryan's (Ethan's Dad) sister. I have always hoped I would never need to create one of these accounts but unfortunately, here we are.

February 6, 2024 will forever be a day that will never leave our memory. Ethan was home from school again for the second day as he had been feeling under the weather. For those of you that know Ethan, he HATES to miss school. Ethan is a Junior at Springfield High School where he is enrolled in Honors courses and even started a college course this year. Ethan has been a straight A student his entire school career which is such a feat this day and age. So back to February 6...

Ethan hadn't been feeling well for about a week. His symptoms were really similar to a severe cold leading Ethan's mom, Rebekah, to administer a COVID test which came back negative. On Feb 6, Ethan was in the shower and lost consciousness falling and hitting the back of his head. When he came around he stood back up and once again lost consciousness this time falling forward and hitting his face on the faucet. He does not remember the second fall but his sister, Sophia, heard him fall. Ethan was now bleeding heavily under the eyebrow and needed stitches ASAP. Ryan was at work so he immediately rushed home to take Ethan to the ER where he received 3 stitches. The hospital ran bloodwork to try to determine what may have caused Ethan to pass out and a few short hours later they came and asked Ryan to come to a private room. With sadness in their eyes they informed Ryan that Ethan's tests showed Leukemia.

The next few hours were a blur. Ethan was immediately admitted into Toledo Children's Hospital. They showed up for stitches at 2:30pm and by 7pm Ryan and Rebekah were settling him into his new room in the cancer wing which would become his home for the an indeterminate amount of time. First thing they needed to determine is which type of Leukemia it is, A.L.L or A.M.L so that meant Ethan would have to get a bone marrow tap. Luckily, Toledo Hospital will not do bone marrow or spinal taps on minors while they are awake, it's super painful, so he would be going under anesthetic for those and receive his PICC line as well which will eventually be replaced by a port. The results came back Saturday and once again, another blow, it's AML which is the more aggressive type fo the two. The doctors sprung into action once they knew what they were dealing with.

Starting on February 10th Ethan has received chemo twice per day for 10 straight days. He will need stay in the hospital now for at least 3 weeks and will be allowed to go home briefly once the doctors feel he can fight off any infection he could could potentially catch at home. At the end of this first round the doctors will know Ethan's risk level. Based upon the risk level, that will determine how many rounds, chemo drugs required and length of stay to get him healthy and in remission. As with any serious illness, there are many things that could change and adjustments made but this is where are for now. Ethan has a long road ahead but he is determined to beat this!

Thank you for reading Ethan's story. As I am sure you already know this journey will be quite costly and anything you can find in your heart to donate will be greatly appreciated. All funds will be used for Ethan's care. Ryan and Rebekah would like to thank friends, family and the hospital staff for all the prayers, support and donations already received. And to the people we may not know personally that have sent messages and gifts, thank you, you help bring light into a dark situation. I am attaching the link to Ethan's Caring Bridge if you would like to know the more detailed version of his day to day health and care.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ethanblue

Thank you all,

Lauren