"Out of difficulties grow Miracles" A season to remember. Hockey season started in September and we were all excited and thrilled that Drew was going to be playing on the A team for the Steamboat Stampede. It meant that his competition would be against older and much more experienced kids but we all knew Drew could handle it. As the season started, his energy level was just not there. He was tired and slow out of the gate with each shift and practice. We just thought he was younger than the rest of his team and he had a lot to adjust to. This went on for the entire hockey season. He was also very ill during the season. Colds, flu, and sore throats seemed to be what was going around town so we just kept fighting each sickness . This all kept going until March when we noticed his sicknesses would never disappear and bruising on his body never seemed to go away. His local doctor also notice a heart murmur which we thought could be related to his sickness. Nothing changed so the doctor ordered blood work to be done at the hospital. This lead to the next chapter of all of our lives. Blood work came back with all sorts of RED FLAGS. The doctor called me and told me to pack our bags as we were rushed to Denver's Children Hospital that is 3 hours away. I can still remember that phone conversation and hearing the words.... bone marrow, white blood cells, and platelets. Drew and I rushed to the ER at Children's Hospital that night where we met my husband and a slew of doctors and nurses waiting on us. Needles, scans, x-rays were done immediately . Drew was in and out of sleep as he was exhausted. We were ALL exhausted. By midnight, they admitted us to the 7th floor (Cancer Floor) and let us know that leukemia was very likely and we were stay for another 2 weeks. By 3am, Drew had another blood transfusion and a dose of platelets injected into him to increase his levels. His bone marrow has failed. He is not producing any more red blood cells, white blood cells, nor platelets. With that said, his new diagnoses is what is called SEVERE APLASTIC ANEMIA. Very similar symptoms to leukemia but instead his symptoms included bone marrow failure. No blood, no immune system, and no platelets to protect his body. A bone marrow transplant is needed to reboot his system. He is homeschooled by mom as we searched for a donor in hopes it would be one of his siblings. DNA swabs were done on all of us and he goes regularly to Denver Hospital for transfusions and platelets to keep his system working. DONOR was FOUND. Anna, his sister is a perfect 6 out of 6 match for him. Praise Jesus, WE HAVE FOUND A MATCH! As we continue to go on regular visits to the Denver Cancer Floor at Children's for blood transfusions and platelets, we are awaiting the next big visit to meet the Bone Marrow Transplant team and find out when we are on the schedule to start CHEMO. This is a long process ahead of us and as Yancey and I receive news, I will continue to update you. Thank you all for the love, support, and PRAYERS that have helped us through this new stage of our lives. You have no idea how many times a day I sit down to thank God for each of you. And the amount of tears that I have shed or trying to hold back are endless. Big love for each of you and continue to pray for healing. The Steamboat Community and the Steamboat Christian Center have gone above beyond the call of duty for us and we are forever grateful. I know a great deal of you would like to help with meals, but as of right now germs are the enemy. He is the "boy in the bubble". We keep visitations to a minimum for him and try to maintain a germ free house. So with that said, we appreciate your thoughts on a meal train but we must consider what is safe for Drew. As the next chapter starts with Chemo and being admitted to the hospital, we will reconsider what is needed then. Thank you and God Bless you all.
Thank you also for the tributes that you have made to this site but we ask for no donations or tributes. We just would like you to lift us up in your thoughts and prayers at this time.
Day 1 of new life. Drew is doing great and the procedure went as planned. His body so far is accepting Anna’s bone marrow and the only thing that we have noticed is a higher blood pressure. That is normal and we are meds for this. As long as he continues to eat, no nutritional tube will be placed. He is doing great today. Anna was discharged this morning from hospital and on her way back to Steamboat with Yancey. Side effects from chemo will again to appear on day 4-12. Thank you all for continued prayers and support. The Rushton Family
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