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A lot of people that follow me on the various social media sites know this story already. I apologize for regurgitating it here, but it’s really about me, and not you. Writing this stuff down gets the voices in my head out, and this one really needs to GTFO!
Robin’s brother Jimmy, is married to Lori. Together they have a beautiful daughter Madison. Madison had a twin sister who was born still. That was a very sad and difficult event for our family. Having gone through that myself, I know how it rips your heart out, steps on it, and shoves it back into your chest backwards.
Unfortunately, the family suffered another blow this weekend. On Friday, July 25th, after a few days of being ill, Maddy was given some tests at the doctor. The doctor told Lori to take her from Okeechobee to West Palm Beach immediately for more tests, and to be under a hemotologist and oncologist. Clearly, we all freaked.
After a blood transfusion on Friday, she stabilized on saturday. Her platelets apparently dropped over the next 24 hrs from 60s to 40s, though they wouldn’t do another transfusion until they went below 20. Robin and I visited her on Sunday, and she was just so sweet and so cute. She was of course a bit upset any time someone came in, because they poked and prodded her all day Friday. However, after an x-ray for an infection in her sinus, she was happy and coloring pictures on her bed. While we didnt “know” anything yet, the family all had been preparing themselves for the worst.
On Monday they did a bone marrow test, which confirmed the Leukemia. Of course we’re all heartbroken and upset. Robin and I did some research on Childhood Cancer: Leukemia to get a better understanding of what was going on. Maddy has acute lymphocytic leukemia and will begin her chemotherapy on Thursday. They will apparently put a port in her chest, and will be on treatment for the next two years. While there are no guarantees in life, the following gave us some measure of comfort
But with the proper treatment, the outlook for kids who are diagnosed with leukemia is quite good. Some forms of childhood leukemia have a remission rate of up to 90%;
So, now we pray and hope and be positive and work towards a healthy solution. Robin and I are doing our best to keep ourselves together, which isn’t easy. I sincerely appreciate everyones words, thoughts, well wishes, and encouragement for a positive outcome. Not sure what else to say, other than this really sucks.
Oy. I share your sadness, man. Any kind of cancer is bad, hateful news and it’s always harder when children get hit. Hope she’s able to draw all kinds of strength from you and the rest of her support crew.
Matt – Maddy will be in our thoughts frequently.
suck is a nicer word that I am thinking right now! Robin’s brother and his wife have been thru so much already, it is terrible they now are faced with this. Please let them know that many thoughts and prayers are being sent their way.
(and yours as well…I just read about your firstborn…I am so sorry)
Hey Matt,
I will keep thinking positive thoughts for little Maddy. It is good news that there have been so many breakthroughs in medicine to raise the chance of remission.
*huge hugs* to you, Robin, Maddy and your whole family!
Your family is in my thoughts. It is sobering to realize how suddenly things can fall from the blue like this.
It does suck.
I’m so sorry to hear this, I can only begin to understand how devastating this must be to your family. Whatever your religious beliefs may or may not be, your family is in my thoughts and prayers.