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Aaron’s Story

Site created on August 15, 2014

Thank you for visiting Aaron's Caring Bridge site. I'll start from the beginning. In early 2012, Aaron developed a sore under his right nostril that wouldn't heal. Aaron visited several ENTs and a wound care specialist, one of whom suspected cancer and biopsied the sore. The biopsy came back negative and eventually the sore went away with a heavy dose of steroids. We've since learned that it isn't uncommon for a biopsy to misdiagnose or miss a diagnosis altogether. Fast forward to early 2014, Aaron began to experience flu symptoms weekly. Unexplainable fevers and night sweats plagued him for several months, off and on. In early July, the right side of Aaron's face swelled, his breathing became partially obstructed, and his night sweats intensified.

On July 23rd Aaron had a surgery to remove what the ENT thought was a cyst in his right nasal passage. This "cyst," over a period of a few weeks, had caused Aaron's face to swell so dramatically that he was barely able to open his right eye. However, instead of a cyst, the surgeon discovered a malignant, golf ball sized tumor. Thus began a journey that has changed our lives. Aaron was referred to a general oncologist in Cincinnati who diagnosed Aaron with NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, an extremely rare and aggressive lymphoma. Thankfully, after multiple tests, we learned that the cancer had not spread anywhere else in Aaron's body, and remained localized to the tumor site. Eventually, after about a week, we were recommended to Dr. Pierluigi Porcu, an oncologist at The James Cancer Center in Columbus, who specializes in this particular lymphoma and has previously treated sixteen cases--a high number considering the rarity of the disease.

Dr. Porcu recommended a rigorous treatment plan: six rounds of SMILE chemotherapy, followed by a month of radiation. SMILE utilizes a drug, PEG-asparaginase, which has recently been found to be very effective in treating NK/T-Cell, which, prior to this discovery, had a very low survival rate. However, Aaron's prognosis looks good. The facts that the lymphoma hadn't metastasized and that Aaron has responded well to treatment thus far, combined with his age and overall good health, all bode well for Aaron's full recovery.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Sara Luckett — Dec 23, 2015

Dear friends and family,

We just got the wonderful news, after check ups with Dr. Otto (ENT) and Dr. Porcu (medical oncologist), that Aaron is still cancer free and has hit 9 months of remission. We are so thankful.

This will be my last Caring Bridge post, hopefully ever. We're starting to learn that putting cancer behind us, is nearly impossible. Aaron doesn't get his old life back, things don't go back to the way they were. But we're trudging the path in front of us as best we can and are always thankful we get the opportunity to do so together.

Thank you to all who have followed Aaron's story and who've kept us in your thoughts and prayers. We've felt your overwhelming support every step of the way, and will always appreciate the strength and positivity you've injected into our journey. We hope all our friends and family are having a happy and healthy holiday season.

Love,
Sara

Read More of the journal titled "Nine Months of Remission!"

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