My grandson, Dominick, was diagnosed with high-risk pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in November 2014. He was 2 3/4 years old and it was only eight months after his dad unexpectedly passed away. Obviously this was a new shock for his mom, Danielle, and his family. His sister, Gianna, who just turned 5, still hadn't gotten over the loss of her dad and now had to deal with her brother's illness.
Dominick had severe bruising and was diagnosed by his pediatrician. He was rushed immediately to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York where he was admitted and treatment started immediately.
During his first stay at Sloan, which lasted three weeks, he received a port and was bombarded with chemotheraphy. Thanksgiving was spent that year in the hospital. He reacted relatively well to the chemo with some side effects, chemo holds, fevers, short hospital stays and a port infection that required his port to be replaced.
In December 2016, Dominick received his last dose of chemo and was considered NED. This year, December 2021, we celebrated his five-year off chemo anniversary.
After all he has been through, Dominick is the sweetest, kindest, most loving 9-year-old.
The fear of relapse will always be in the back of our minds. Any bruising brings an unspoken fear. The side effects of the devil, chemo, still lingers but we still have our best buddy with us. For that we will be forever grateful.
Dominick
High-risk pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
