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On Monday October 19, 2009 our 12 year old Nick was diagnosed with Leukemia. Specifically, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia T-cell or ALL T-cell.
About 4 weeks ago Nick developed a sore throat and swollen glands. Nick went to the local immediate care center and was prescribed an antibiotic. After 2 weeks with no improvement and his glands continuing to swell we brought him to his pediatrician for further follow up, He was tested for mono and strep throat and a enlarged spleen noticed (which caused Nick to have to stop playing hockey). The tests were negative. Upon another visit his liver was enlarged so his pediatrician decided to send him to a specialist for further evaluation. The specialist was a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology physician who happened to take care of Nick when he was born (Nick has a blood problem at birth that kept him in Neonatal Intensive Care for 3 weeks). Nick visited that specialist on Thursday October 15th, 2009 and a chest xray along blood work was ordered. That was done in his office and literally just a few minutes later he had identified a lymphoma on his chest. He explained this to Maria and scheduled a biopsy, bone marrow aspiration and a central line IV port placement for the next day (Friday). Later that evening, we received a call from the specialist that he just received the blood work results and there was a buildup of uric acid in his blood from the lymphoma that needed to be addressed immediately. Nick was admitted to the hospital that night and IV's were started. On Friday October 16th Nick had the biopsy, bone marrow aspiration and his port placed. He stayed in the hospital through Saturday late afternoon receiving IV fluids to improve his blood chemistry. He was discharged with a preliminary diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma. Monday October 19th the lab work results came back and cancer was found in his bone marrow and lymph nodes resulting in a primary diagnosis of Leukemia. Nick was admitted that afternoon to start treatment.
