A weekend of spooky treat filled fun for the average 10 year old was the beginning of a journey no parent or child should ever have be on. It began as pain in the left quad and after a visit to the ER, it was diagnosed as a quad strain brought on from swim lessons. "Rest and take ibuprofen as needed for pain, it should improve within a few days to a week". The doctor said this was common with swimmers so we thought, no big deal. We would find out later that, it was a big deal.

The pain was so bad that Ethan was unable to walk long distances and was forced to ride in a wheelchair while trick or treating. He was a trooper and made it about an hour before asking to be taken home because his leg hurt so bad. His friends were concerned about him and as any good friend would, made the decision on their own to share their candy haul with him.

Ethan began missing days of school due to the pain being too much to tolerate while sitting at his desk or walking up and down the hallways of his Elementary school. Instead of improving like the ER doctor thought, the pain moved into both legs. This is where his story takes a turn, this is where we as parents feel helpless. We are his protectors, we are his comfort and what he is experiencing is beyond our ability to protect and keep him safe.