Fighting with Jared
Donation protected
Once upon a time there was a little happy, healthy, loving 7 year old boy called Jared. He was loved by many people and had lots of friends. His best friend being his 6 year old little brother named Jayden. Jared was an excellent student and his mom and dad were very proud of him. Jared’s heart was always filled with love for his family, friends and even strangers he encountered.
One day shortly after Jared and his brother Jayden joined their first baseball team, Jared began to experience sharp pains on his leg. Jared’s parents thought it would be a good idea to get his leg checked out by the family doctor. At the check-up, x-rays were taken which did not reveal anything wrong with Jared’s leg. The doctor thought it was just sore muscles and advised Jared to stretch really good before his games. The baseball season continued and Jared’s pain got worst, to the point that he had to stop playing the game he loved so much. As time passed, Jared continued to have pain and not only was it in his legs but the arms became affected as well. There were times Jared could not walk, sit or lay on his own without assistance. Extremely concerned, Jared and his parents went back and forth to the doctor’s office and several specialists in hopes to find answers. Many labs were drawn, fancy test were done but still no real answer as to what was causing the pain. Once again we were referred to a new specialist, a rheumatologist. Based on the labs done and the pains Jared was having, the rheumatologist gave a diagnosis of CRMO. Jared was put on prednisone to treat CRMO, which completely changed his behavior, appetite and the pain got worst. After taking prednisone for a month, the rheumatologist ordered labs to see if Jared’s condition had gotten better. The labs confirmed what we already knew, that Jared had gotten worst. Meanwhile, Jared became very anemic and had lost close to 20 pounds due to loss of appetite. As a result of Jared’s severe anemia, he was referred to a Hematologist/Oncologist and thus the bravery continues.
On November 1, 2013 Jared was seen by Dr. Eslin at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Once again like many times before blood was drawn and more tests were ordered. Due to the severity of the results, Jared was admitted that same day and given his first blood transfusion. Filled with frustration and sadness, mom and dad stood by as their sweet baby boy would have to undergo more tests. An MRI of the spine was done and three tumors were found. The largest and possibly primary tumor was found in the abdomen near kidney. As a result, a tumor and bone marrow biopsy were done. By day four, Jared had already been to the operating room twice and had a port placed in him. Several more tests were done in order to confirm what the group of doctors suspected. During all the tests and labs Jared was brave and cooperated greatly. Mom and Dad were very proud of him! Jared’s case was so complex and rare for his age group, that the doctors were having a hard time getting a diagnosis. After several days of tests, labs, scans and biopsies, the doctors finally had a diagnosis.
On November 7, 2013 Jared was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. Not wanting to believe what they were hearing, Jared’s parents embraced each other as they were told the worst, most terrifying news they had ever heard. Jared was found to have the most aggressive cancer which spread through his body, into the bones and bone marrow. Due to the severity of Jared’s diagnosis, the doctor’s needed to start chemotherapy right away. The news took Jared and his parents by surprise, but nothing ever takes GOD by surprise. The doctors considered Jared a high risk stage IV because of his age and the way the cancer had spread. Jared’s treatment has been very aggressive and will be necessary for many months. Within this time, Jared has and will receive chemotherapy, numerous surgeries, radiation and immuno therapy treatment.
This is something that no child should ever have to go through but only God knows why some have to. Jared’s family understands this will be a long hard road to travel, but with God all things are possible. They have faith and believe that Jared will make it through and will be a living testimony of what prayer & faith can do.
Thus the story continues about Jared’s bravery & determination to beat cancer. Jared has been battling this disease for over a year now and will overcome, however he cannot do it alone, he needs the support of family, friends and a community of caring individuals that will help him get to the other side cancer free. Won’t you help and be part of Jared’s story….let’s do what we can so this sweet, brave boy’s story ends with a……”Lived Happily Ever After”
www.facebook.com/angelsatwork
One day shortly after Jared and his brother Jayden joined their first baseball team, Jared began to experience sharp pains on his leg. Jared’s parents thought it would be a good idea to get his leg checked out by the family doctor. At the check-up, x-rays were taken which did not reveal anything wrong with Jared’s leg. The doctor thought it was just sore muscles and advised Jared to stretch really good before his games. The baseball season continued and Jared’s pain got worst, to the point that he had to stop playing the game he loved so much. As time passed, Jared continued to have pain and not only was it in his legs but the arms became affected as well. There were times Jared could not walk, sit or lay on his own without assistance. Extremely concerned, Jared and his parents went back and forth to the doctor’s office and several specialists in hopes to find answers. Many labs were drawn, fancy test were done but still no real answer as to what was causing the pain. Once again we were referred to a new specialist, a rheumatologist. Based on the labs done and the pains Jared was having, the rheumatologist gave a diagnosis of CRMO. Jared was put on prednisone to treat CRMO, which completely changed his behavior, appetite and the pain got worst. After taking prednisone for a month, the rheumatologist ordered labs to see if Jared’s condition had gotten better. The labs confirmed what we already knew, that Jared had gotten worst. Meanwhile, Jared became very anemic and had lost close to 20 pounds due to loss of appetite. As a result of Jared’s severe anemia, he was referred to a Hematologist/Oncologist and thus the bravery continues. On November 1, 2013 Jared was seen by Dr. Eslin at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Once again like many times before blood was drawn and more tests were ordered. Due to the severity of the results, Jared was admitted that same day and given his first blood transfusion. Filled with frustration and sadness, mom and dad stood by as their sweet baby boy would have to undergo more tests. An MRI of the spine was done and three tumors were found. The largest and possibly primary tumor was found in the abdomen near kidney. As a result, a tumor and bone marrow biopsy were done. By day four, Jared had already been to the operating room twice and had a port placed in him. Several more tests were done in order to confirm what the group of doctors suspected. During all the tests and labs Jared was brave and cooperated greatly. Mom and Dad were very proud of him! Jared’s case was so complex and rare for his age group, that the doctors were having a hard time getting a diagnosis. After several days of tests, labs, scans and biopsies, the doctors finally had a diagnosis.
On November 7, 2013 Jared was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. Not wanting to believe what they were hearing, Jared’s parents embraced each other as they were told the worst, most terrifying news they had ever heard. Jared was found to have the most aggressive cancer which spread through his body, into the bones and bone marrow. Due to the severity of Jared’s diagnosis, the doctor’s needed to start chemotherapy right away. The news took Jared and his parents by surprise, but nothing ever takes GOD by surprise. The doctors considered Jared a high risk stage IV because of his age and the way the cancer had spread. Jared’s treatment has been very aggressive and will be necessary for many months. Within this time, Jared has and will receive chemotherapy, numerous surgeries, radiation and immuno therapy treatment. This is something that no child should ever have to go through but only God knows why some have to. Jared’s family understands this will be a long hard road to travel, but with God all things are possible. They have faith and believe that Jared will make it through and will be a living testimony of what prayer & faith can do.Thus the story continues about Jared’s bravery & determination to beat cancer. Jared has been battling this disease for over a year now and will overcome, however he cannot do it alone, he needs the support of family, friends and a community of caring individuals that will help him get to the other side cancer free. Won’t you help and be part of Jared’s story….let’s do what we can so this sweet, brave boy’s story ends with a……”Lived Happily Ever After”
www.facebook.com/angelsatwork
Organizer
Bonnie Hampson
Organizer
Palm Bay, FL