Isaiah's Battle: A Mother's Plea

The Name “Isaiah” Means “Salvation is of the Lord”

Family, friends and anyone else reading this:

I am the proud and loving mother of Isaiah Timothy Scott, whom I gave birth to 25 years ago. And, Isaiah has an equally proud and loving father. The name “Isaiah” in Hebrew means “Salvation is of the Lord.” And let me tell you, Isaiah has lived up to his name!

The Timeline

September 2009 - Isaiah is Diagnosed with Leukemia

As some of you may know, in September 2009, when Isaiah was only 10 years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL for short), a form of blood cancer. Due to the nature of his diagnosis, Isaiah was immediately admitted to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, which is associated with the Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

What’s the Cure?

The doctors originally told us that Isaiah’s cancer was curable if he underwent three years of chemotherapy. At that time, the only things I knew about chemotherapy was that chemo hurts, chemo makes you very sick, and chemo makes you lose your hair. Nevertheless, we agreed to do the “standard protocol.”

October 2009 -Isaiah is Diagnosed with Another Rare Blood Disease

About a month later, the doctors told us the “standard protocol” would not cure Isaiah’s leukemia because he also had another rare blood disorder called hypodiploidy. Hypodiploidy is a chromosome abnormality that occurs when a cell has fewer than the normal number of chromosomes. The doctors explained: “Absent a cure that is not standard protocol, Isaiah will die from the cancer, or die from the chemo.” I told the doctors, “I need you to give me a better answer than that.”

A Different Cure?

The doctors said the only way to cure Isaiah’s leukemia would be either a bone marrow transplant or a stem cell transplant. The doctors recommended a stem cell transplant, even though at that time it was somewhat experimental. We decided to go with a stem cell transplant because the stem cells would come from the umbilical cord of an infant and there would be less risk of Isaiah receiving some kind of disorder from an adult donating his or her bone marrow.

Who’s a Match?

The stem cells had to match Isaiah’s immune system, which requires that the stem cells come from someone who matched Isaiah’s racial and ethnic background. Isaiah’s pediatric oncologist said, “We have a whole lot of White people on the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) list, but unfortunately, not many Black people.” The doctors said the best match would be for Isaiah’s Dad and I to have another baby, and then allow that baby’s stem cells (from the umbilical cord) to be distributed to Isaiah’s body. However, at this time, Isaiah’s Dad and I were divorced and his Dad was remarried.

How Did We Find a Match?

I asked the doctors, “What can I do?” The doctors said: “Spread the word; tell everyone you know that we need more Black and Brown people on that list!” I went to every African American church in the Portland metropolitan area to ask for donations to the NMDP list, whether it be via bone marrow or by stem cells from an umbilical cord. My friend Linda also hosted a clinic at the Sharon Seventh-Day Adventist Church where many Brown and Black people donated. I’ll be forever grateful to Linda and to those who donated!

November 2009 - Doctors Found a Match!

About two months later, Isaiah’s doctors found a four out of five match on the NMDP list. That is the best match, absent a biological sibling! I’ll be forever grateful to the parents who donated the stem cells when their baby was born. Unfortunately, because of NMDP rules and the donor’s very young age, we have never been able to thank the donor’s parents.

Chemo and Radiation Suck!

Unfortunately, Isaiah had to undergo full-body radiation and massive doses of chemotherapy to essentially wipe out his immune system so that he could receive the stem cells. As I stated before, what I knew before all this happened was that chemo hurts, chemo makes you very sick, and chemo makes you lose your hair. All of that happened with Isaiah.

One day, Isaiah and I counted how many times he vomited; it was 13 times! The doctors prescribed meds for the nausea and the other side effects, but nothing worked. Isaiah just kept getting sicker. It was then that I decided to look into natural remedies. I took him to acupuncture and gave him herbs and teas that helped ease his nausea and gave him somewhat of an appetite again.

December 2009 - The Stem Cell Transplant

I’ll never forget the day of the stem cell transplant. It was so incredibly important, but kind of boring, watching the stem cells drip into Isaiah’s body. Isaiah and I were watching the Disney movie “Cars,” but we both fell asleep during the movie, probably out of sheer exhaustion and relief.

What Happened Post-Stem Cell Transplant?

Post-stem cell transplant, we did everything we could to ensure Isaiah got the best nutrition and vitamins to boost his immune system. I’m not going to say it was easy, because it wasn’t. He was sick with the flu one time for around six or seven weeks. That said, Isaiah’s doctors marveled at how fast he recovered after having his entire immune system wiped out. I am convinced that Isaiah bounced back as fast as he did because of the natural remedies.

5 Years Later - Isaiah is Declared a Cancer Survivor!

Gratefully, after five years, Isaiah was declared a “cancer survivor.” Isaiah went out into the world. He got a job teaching kids art. A lot of those kids look up to him. He found a girlfriend whom I adore. In fact, until recently, Isaiah has lived a perfectly normal life. Isaiah truly lived up to the meaning of his name, “Salvation is of the Lord.”

February 2024 – Isaiah Sees an Unusual Spot on His Hip

Fast forward to February 2024, Isaiah noticed an unusual spot on his hip. Eventually, that "spot" became enlarged and painful. A few months later, Isaiah noticed two other "spots'" one on his upper back; the other on his left arm.

April 2024 - My Own Personal Health Journey

In April 2024, I attended an in-patient natural remedy health program out of sheer frustration because my doctors could not tell me why I had developed a severe lung condition that required me to use supplemental oxygen when I never smoked cigarettes and lived a healthy lifestyle. In fact, my pulmonologist told me I’d probably have to use supplemental oxygen for the rest of my life. However, within two months after going to that in-patient program, I no longer needed supplemental oxygen.

July 2024 to August 2024 – Isaiah is Diagnosed with Cancer Again

At his Dad’s encouragement, Isaiah went to the doctor in July 2024.

In August 2024, Isaiah’s dermatologist performed a biopsy and determined that all three of the lesions he had seen on his body were cancerous. Isaiah was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that grows in the smooth muscles of the body. The dermatologist referred Isaiah to OHSU, the same hospital affiliated with Doernbecher Children’s Hospital where Isaiah was treated 15 years ago.

October 2024 to Present – Doctors are Still Figuring it Out

We first saw the oncologists at OHSU in October 2024. Isaiah’s surgical oncologist said that it is very rare for someone his age to develop this form of cancer, as the average age is 40-60 years old. The oncologist also said that Isaiah probably developed Leiomyosarcoma because of the full-body radiation he received as a child.

The doctors are currently conducting studies to determine if there is a possible genetic reason why he has developed cancer again. He also might have more cancerous tumors in his throat, chest and stomach. Right now, we do not know.

So Here’s Why

Isaiah’s Dad and I would like to send Isaiah to an in-patient natural remedy health program located in Loveland, Colorado that specializes in treating patients with cancer. Unlike my program, which was relatively inexpensive, the total cost for the residential program is $12,000 to $15,000. That amount includes food, boarding, nutritional classes, treatment, transportation, and daily living expenses while Isaiah is at the in-patient program. It also includes me coming along to support him. Best case scenario, Isaiah may be able to overcome all cancers that could still be in his body.

What Can You Do?

We are so grateful for the support and prayers of our loved ones these past few months. We are now reaching out to our family, our friends, our community, to ask for help in covering the expense of sending Isaiah to the in-patient natural remedy program. Every dollar donated will make a major difference in his second fight against cancer. With your help, Isaiah could become a two-time cancer survivor.

How You Can Help:

• Donate what you can. Even a small amount helps.

• Share this GoFundMe page with your entire network on all your social media platforms.

• Continue to send prayers, positive thoughts, and well wishes.

Isaiah, his father, and I thank you for your compassion and support during this challenging time. Your generosity is deeply appreciated!