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Hello family, friends, and anyone who may come across this. My brother Jackson was recently diagnosed with stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. This a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the soft tissue. It started in his foot and has metastasized to his lymph nodes, groin, lungs, and pancreas. Statistically this diagnosis has a low success rate so Jackson is currently in a fight for his life, but he is so strong and we have nothing but hope!
This all started on August 1st with a trip to the ER with severe stomach pain which ended up being pancreatitis. For the rest of that month, he missed school, was in and out of the hospital 3 times, urgent care once, and his primary care physician 5 times; due to his leg swelling and having trouble walking from one of the tumors in his groin, a persistent cough, and just being in pain. His primary doctor ordered a CT scan and that’s when found out it was most likely cancer. They did a biopsy on September 18th and by the 27th we got the results and our world seemed to stop.
Before this diagnosis, Jackson was a healthy silly 15-year-old who liked to play video games, hang out with his cat Birdie, and was excited to get his truck running so he could get his driver's license.
Now the next year and half of primary treatment will look like 15 rounds of in-patient chemo, 6 months of maintenance chemo, 6-8 weeks of radiation in Memphis, blood/platelet transfusions as needed (Donate when you can!), trips up to St. Francis Children’s Hospital at least once a week (possibly more due the intensity of his treatment) so they can touch base with him. Even after the initial treatment, there will be a very high chance of other cancers developing within the 5 years and beyond regardless of remission.
The goal of the fundraiser is to lessen the financial burden on my parents and the health of Jackson. Whether that be for co-pays for his medication or meeting the deductible for the year. Gas and toll for getting back and forth to appointments. Getting his health supplies that are not covered by insurance. The new diet he will have to be put on to maintain his health, anything and everything to give him what he needs when he needs it.
Anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated. Please keep Jackson in your thoughts as our family tries to navigate this news and the next steps going forward.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Graves family
This all started on August 1st with a trip to the ER with severe stomach pain which ended up being pancreatitis. For the rest of that month, he missed school, was in and out of the hospital 3 times, urgent care once, and his primary care physician 5 times; due to his leg swelling and having trouble walking from one of the tumors in his groin, a persistent cough, and just being in pain. His primary doctor ordered a CT scan and that’s when found out it was most likely cancer. They did a biopsy on September 18th and by the 27th we got the results and our world seemed to stop.
Before this diagnosis, Jackson was a healthy silly 15-year-old who liked to play video games, hang out with his cat Birdie, and was excited to get his truck running so he could get his driver's license.
Now the next year and half of primary treatment will look like 15 rounds of in-patient chemo, 6 months of maintenance chemo, 6-8 weeks of radiation in Memphis, blood/platelet transfusions as needed (Donate when you can!), trips up to St. Francis Children’s Hospital at least once a week (possibly more due the intensity of his treatment) so they can touch base with him. Even after the initial treatment, there will be a very high chance of other cancers developing within the 5 years and beyond regardless of remission.
The goal of the fundraiser is to lessen the financial burden on my parents and the health of Jackson. Whether that be for co-pays for his medication or meeting the deductible for the year. Gas and toll for getting back and forth to appointments. Getting his health supplies that are not covered by insurance. The new diet he will have to be put on to maintain his health, anything and everything to give him what he needs when he needs it.
Anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated. Please keep Jackson in your thoughts as our family tries to navigate this news and the next steps going forward.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Graves family