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Welcome to Tj's Web Page.
Tj was originally diagnosed with ALL March 23,2001. He went into remission April 2001. He went through 2 1/2 years of chemo with really no major problems. He finished treatment on October 30, 2003. We were so happy that nightmare was behind us.
A month and two weeks after that on December 19, 2003 he relapsed in the testes. We were crushed even more than the first time. We and the doctors never thought that it would happen to him. He started back on treatment that day. He had chemo and radiation to both testes. The radation lasted for 15 treatments. He had a really hard time with this round of treatment. He was in the hospital for the majority of Jan. 2004 and Feb of 2004.
We made it through all of that with him going on and off of oxygen due to problems that the doctors couldn't figure out. I think it was the 18 pounds that he gained due to steroids. We stopped that round of treatment in Sept. 2004.
He was doing great and then he got an ear infection the beginning of Jan. 05. He took the antibotics for the ten days and when he finished them he broke out with a rash. I took him to the ER on Sunday Jan 16th and the doctor said his spleen was swolen. I knew it was back. I was crushed. He saw his onc. on Jan 18th and he told me that we was pretty sure it was back and that they wanted us in New Orleans that night. They did a spinal and a bone marrow tap on Jan. 19, 2005 and came back to tell us that it was back. Words can't decribe what I felt. It is so unfair to him to be going through this.
They started chemo the next day. We made a choice to change hospitals to see if another doctor would take another approach at this. The first hospital wanted to go right back to the same chemo again. We aren't on a study this time but we are doing roadmap POG #9360.
This time he will be having a bone marrow transplant. His 8 year old brother Clay will be his donor. He wants to do it as he puts it "I don't want to do it but I need to do it to save TJ's life." It made me cry. He had his transplant April 22, 2005.
He is a ball of energy. His smile will melt your heart. All of the doctors and nurses love him. He entertains them when he is in the hospital. When we told him it was back this time I asked him how he felt and he said " I am upset but I want the cancer gone." He is a hero to me and everyone he meets. I get strength to go through this with him from his strength and love of life. He loves life and isn't willing to give up.
Now he has relapsed again. This time just in the bone marrow. He had his second transplant this time a cord blood transplant. He had it May 31,2007. If you can please donate your babies cord blood. It can save a life. It gave my son another chance.
Our worst fears have come true. The leukemia is back. He has two masses in his face that is leukemia. He also has leukemia in his bone marrow and spinal fluid. They are giving him a matter of weeks to live. On Sept 8, 2007 he passed away. He was 8 years and 9 months old. He is now dancing and playing in heaven with all of his friends that he has lost over the years.
Journal
Monday, December 8, 2008 7:54 PM CST Today I want to start by telling my little Superman Happy Birthday. Today as of 10:53 tonight he would of been 10 years old. He is missed so much. I think back the the second that I saw that little face and watched him take his first breath. I am so lucky that I got to watch him take his last breath too. That Troy and I got to be by his side when he died. He passed away knowing how much his daddy and I love him.
Tonight we did a cake and sang Happy Birthday to him. We wanted to celebrate his life. He all prayed and told what we were thankful about the most when it came to TJ. A couple of the things that I am most thankful for is what he taught me in life and death. The lessons that he taught all of us is something that we can bring through the rest of our lives. I am so thankful for the chance to be his mom for the 8 years and 9 months that I had him. He was so loved here that God missed him too much too and wanted him back home with him. He taught us about having the courage to go on no matter what the path ahead of you looks like. Never give up!!!!!!!
I am so blessed to have all of my kids. I have lost TJ for now but I will be back with him one day. For now I take care of the other 5 blessings that I have here. I am so blessed to have them in my life. They blow me away everyday by what they face and overcome. That is one thing that our whole family has learned that we can overcome anything. Yes it might be hard but together we can do it. We might not always be strong but we love each other and we stick together through it all holding each other up during our time that we feel too weak to carry on.
As most of you know we moved back down to LA. The kids are settling in and making lots of new friends. I am working part time at our church as a teacher. Troy and I are getting a divorce. It should be final next month. We are struggling but we are together and that is all that matters. The kids and I will make it.
Thank you to everyone who still checks on us and prays for us. We feel it.
Love and miss all you up there in AR.
Merry Christmas to all of you and Happy New Year. This next year will be a happier year for us.
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