Rhett's Rumble with Leukemia

A Message from Rhett's Aunt and Uncle:

November 2022, Rhett started playing basketball and by the second practice, he was reporting knee pain and limping around. After a few days of rest, he was still in pain, so his parents took him to his doctor for an exam and X-rays. Everything looked normal and the thought that it was probably growing pains. January 2023 comes and five days before his fifth birthday Rhett was jumping rope and then went inside and sat on the ground (crisis cross apple sauce) and felt his knee pop. This was the other knee from the one bothering him in November. He was taken to the ER where they were informed that his patella was cracked. He got a cast on his 5th birthday with a plan that it would last about three weeks and then a brace for three weeks. A couple of days after getting the cast, Rhett woke up in excruciating pain and was saying the "good knee" was hurting him. Rhett was taken to the ER and with coaching from a family friend who is a physician his parents asked for some blood tests to see about inflation markers and a complete blood cell count. They were told that everything looked fine and were sent home. His parents also noted that he had been using the bathroom frequently and the urine tests came back fine as well.

Four days later they return to the orthopedist who planned to remove the cast and re-examine both knees as both knees are still hurting him. The cracked patella was healing but both knees were swollen and his ankle started to swell as well and Rhett was having daily 101 degree fevers. This led to a referral to a rheumatologist.

Rhett continued to have fevers, pain, and is struggling to even try to put weight on his legs or let anybody touch them. He wasn't playful like usual and looked grey. Rhett was brought to the pediatrician again where another panel of blood work was ordered. The next day at the Rheumatologis appointment, that was expedited, different diagnosis like juvenile arthritis or auto immune disorders were considered. Rhett was to go in on Monday have the blood work done. The next day (Valentine's day), Rhett's pediatrican was concerned about the results of the blood test results and encouraged his parents to take him to the ER where he would then be transported to Lucille Packard's Children's hospital.

So many tests were run and the Rheumatologist did not think it was a rheumatological issue. The next morning an Oncologist came to check on them and then said "Rhett has Leukemia."

Rhett has begun invasive tests and treatments starting with a spinal tap, harvesting of a bone marrow sample, setting a PIC line, and his first dose of chemo and is doing it all like a champ.

Rhett is now doing outpatient chemotherapy and is staying near the hospital.

The donations from this GoFundMe will help his family offset the medical bills, travel expenses, expenses that go with staying close to a hospital that is not their local hospital and rehabilitation costs associated with Rhett's road to recovery. We truly appreciate your support.

With Gratitude,

Ryan, Annie, and Skyler