Maddox Rehn’s Battle with Leukemia

Friends and family, we have invited you here to support a precious 5-year-old boy named Maddox. Most of you know of his sweet, upbeat and lighthearted personality.  Please read on and help him fight this fight and support his family through this difficult journey.

 On July 10th, 2019 Maddox was taken into the doctor by his parents Tyler and Ashley Rehn for what they thought was just a virus that was causing him to have severe stomach pains.  Much to their surprise, they were informed that little Maddox was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.  Immediately decisions had to be made without consideration for the cost as Maddox was to begin treatment the next day.  Since last Wednesday, Maddox has needed 3 transfusions of blood and platelets.

Throughout all of this, Maddox has remained the same loving, kind and silly boy he has always been.  Never complaining even when things have been hard for him. He even named his IV machine “Bob” and frequently joked about him, while he had to take him everywhere for the first 6 days of treatment.  In this photo, you can see Maddox finally got to leave “Bob” behind.

Treatment for Maddox is going to be a very long journey that will take about 3 years.  Little Maddox is currently in what is called the “induction” stage of his chemotherapy.  He has already been through three sets of chemo therapy including a treatment that was done during his first spinal tap when they did the surgery to insert his port.  During the same procedure, they took a bone marrow sample.  After the first 28 days, they will do another spinal tap and sample his bone marrow to see what the results of the chemotherapy are and the reaction of the cancer to the treatment.  The initial testing that will be done over the next 40 days will determine which bracket he falls into and the form of treatment Maddox will need going forward for the next 3 years.  Tyler and Ashley have been told that the next 6 months for Maddox will be the most difficult.  Maddox will continue to make frequent trips to the hospital for check-ups and blood draws, as well as twice a week visits for chemotherapy treatments and spinal taps.

As adults, we know this difficult treatment is helpful even though for Maddox it doesn’t feel helpful because it makes him feel worse.  It is how Maddox will hopefully be cured.  Maddox’s upbeat spirit and positive attitude is humbling and inspiring to watch.

After getting through the first few days of heartache and realizing every parent’s worst nightmare, Tyler and Ashley were faced with what they have been told the financial burden will be for the next few years.  From their insurance agent, their policy does not cover chemotherapy drugs and they were told the amount could get over a million dollars.  While an exact figure cannot be provided, they were told the cost of the prescription drugs little Maddox will need monthly will barely be covered under the insurance they have.  At this point, we are starting this GoFundMe page for their family as they begin this long journey so they can focus on Maddox  and not have to think about all they were told their insurance will not cover in addition to all the life changes that will be involved.  Ashley will need to stay home with Maddox to attend to him daily and provide the full-time care that he will need because he will not be able to live like a normal 5-year-old.  Maddox will need to have a sterile home environment because he will not be able to fight off simple viruses that children get so often.

ALL funds that are received will be specifically used for Maddox’s needs that surround all that must be done over the next three years.