On March 25th of this year, Cayden, my nephew, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL). The very next week, his family was traveling to Kalispell to meet the pediatric oncology team and begin the process of additional testing to determine the stage and treatment plan for Cayden. It was determined that his cancer was stage two, and his first round of treatments would include three cycles of both immunotherapy and chemotherapy. He will have new tests and scans projected for mid-May to determine if any progress has been made and to re-evaluate the treatment plan if needed.

Although Cayden’s prognosis is excellent and he is expected to successfully recover (with lifetime monitoring as most cancer survivors must do), the frequent travel to Kalispell is a financial burden on his family, along with the incoming medical bills. They travel to Kalispell and stay for 1-2 nights almost every week. They are unsure how many cycles Cayden will need to complete to reach remission but are hopeful that he will be there in the next 3-6 months. He has successfully completed the first cycle of treatment and is faring well with the side effects, fatigue and achiness being his primary complaints, and his port site is healing nicely. He was able to finish up this season of hockey just before he began treatments and has made the decision to leave his after-school job to focus fully on recovery. The family is thankful to be working with his school on a 504 plan so he will be able to keep up, considering all the absences he has had and will have for the foreseeable future. His mother can work remotely for the most part and her employer is flexible with her schedule and PTO days, for which she is grateful.

They see God working amid this season and are so thankful for that and all the blessings they’ve experienced during this time. Jodie and her sons are also very thankful for all their friends and family, and for the fantastic treatment team at Logan Health Kalispell. If you’re able to donate, the family thanks you for that and it is much appreciated. If you’re not able to, that’s 100% okay, just please keep Cayden in your thoughts and prayers as he navigates this journey.