Colton’s Story

Site created on November 5, 2021

Colton is a smart, athletic, and  dynamic 12 year old that has been challenged with fighting cancer!  

October 2021

It all started on 10/7 when we took Colton to pediatrician for muffled hearing in his left ear. No pain/fever but still thinking no big deal. Found ear was good but saw unusual swelling inside back left of his mouth. 
On 10/8-went to ENT who a scheduled a CT scan  for 10/11. Ct scan showed a tumor growing in the nasal/sinus cavity. From there they did a biopsy on 10/22 and found it was Rhabnomyosarcoma on 10/27.  Since then Colton had additional biopsy, scans etc to understand specifics. The cancer has not spread (Thank you God!), it is Embryonal Rhabnomyosarcoma, and is Stage lll based on its size. 
After a stressful last 2-3 weeks of going to many specialists ENTs, surgeons, oncologists and doing biopsies, scans etc across the Phoenix metro area as well as seeking input from St Jude, we feel very fortunate that he has been accepted to St Jude in Memphis TN. His oncologist is known to be one of the best doctors in the country who develops the protocols for this type of cancer. Cal, Colton and I leave Sunday Nov 7 for St Jude. Exactly 1 month after first dr appt. A lot can happen in a month!  Cal will come back when things are settled to be with our other boys . His sister will stay with them until he gets back.  We are still in shock but feel that he will be in the best care at St Jude.

We believe in the power of prayer and Gods powerful healing! He has already answered prayers in having the cancer not spread and giving us the opportunity to be at St Jude!
We ask that you keep him in your prayers! 


We have had many request for a mailing address to send Colton Cards and well wishes. Here is what we have for now. 


Colton Carlson
% St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 
262 Danny Thomas Place 
Mail Stop 108
Memphis, TN 38105-3678

New address as of 11/25/2021

Colton Carlson
% St. Jude Children’s Target House 1
Apt 403
1811 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104


December 17, 2021 (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/coltoncarlsonaz/journal/view/id/61bce9403084b966a671b81f)Journal entry by Kim Bones —

https://gofund.me/3214513b

Friends of the Carlson family are fundraising to help with uncovered medical expenses, missed wages due to time away from work and any future medical expenses for Colton's continued care.  Any remaining funds will be donated to St. Jude in Colton's name. Thank you!

Please note that the Tribute to Colton button on this website will be a donation to CaringBridge to keep them up and running.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Cal and Kristi Carlson

Today, I am so grateful for Colton’s health! One year ago today was Colton’s final dose of treatment. We spent the year celebrating with many adventures and look to do even more in 2024!

We started out 2024 with a scare of reoccurrence as Colton found a bump on the back of his head.  We originally were scheduled to go back to St Jude next week (Feb 14) for check up. However, with the concern of reoccurrence, a call to St Jude and a few days later we were headed back for check up. A bit stressful but thankfully the bump was not a cancer concern and the rest of his scans, bloodwork etc still show NED ( no evidence of disease).  So….we continue the roller coaster cancer diagnosis that has been given to us!! Unless crazy happens again, we do not go back to St Jude until end of May. We tentatively have his ear drum repair scheduled then but will see as it gets closer. 

Colton is still feeling good and keeping busy! He still deals with congestion, ear drum hole which affects his hearing, and random other things but of course never complains.  Since the last time I wrote, Colton earned his Eagle Scout rank. So now we have 4 Eagles in the house!  

As for the rest of us, we are still working to find our new normal but there is no time to settle as Connor graduates this year… yikes! As he heads to college we will work on a new normal! Cooper gets he driver’s license soon… another yikes! And Colton will move on to high school next year! All great milestones to celebrate!

We appreciate you checking in on our family and for the many prayers! ❤️ Please continue to pray for families still in the midst of their treatment and the families that have suffered loss to this terrible disease!🙏
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