My son, Maverick, a vibrant and spirited young boy, faced a daunting challenge at just 20 months old. His journey began with alarming symptoms — relentless nosebleeds, unexplained bruises, and a petechial rash that spread rapidly. Within three days of the first symptom, he was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) on July 14, 2022. It was like we found the first symptom on day one, and by day three, he had a cancer diagnosis.
The diagnosis marked the beginning of a long eight-day hospital stay in Chicago, where he underwent a port placement, bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap, and his first round of chemotherapy. After a month of intense induction therapy, a subsequent bone marrow biopsy showed no evidence of disease, a beacon of hope in a challenging time.
He endured six months of consolidation therapy, requiring frequent hospital visits for high-dose chemotherapy. This was followed by three additional phases of treatment to eradicate any lingering cancer cells. The maintenance phase, lasting approximately 18 months, included daily oral chemotherapy, monthly clinic visits for IV chemo treatments, and spinal taps every three months.
Despite the rigorous treatment, his spirit remained unbroken. He displayed remarkable resilience, transforming from an introvert to an extrovert as his health improved. He found joy in simple pleasures — Mario and Sonic video games and movies, Disney's Mickey Mouse, pizza, spaghetti, and the music from Sing! and The Wild Robot. His loving nature shone brightly, but don't let him fool you. He has a personality like Stitch! The ability to be sweet but also destructive. Just like a normal wild 4-year-old.
On October 28, 2024, he completed his final round of chemotherapy. On November 8, 2024, Maverick celebrated his fourth birthday by ringing the bell, a symbol of his victory over cancer. Today, he is nearly 1,000 days off treatment and has had two successful off-treatment check-ups.
He is my "hero," displaying unwavering determination and the ability to face adversity with a smile. He always showed cancer that he was in charge and that he was going to win.
Looking to the future, I hope he continues to thrive, enjoying a happy and healthy life. I dream of him growing old, building a family, and appreciating the beauty of his journey. His journey has been one filled with inspiration, and now that the treatment is over, we can breathe a bit easier. I have now taken on my journey with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to give back to the community that has helped us since 2022. I also aspire to further my education and work in the field of oncology, supporting other families facing similar challenges.
My message to families navigating childhood cancer is one of solidarity and hope: This journey is going to be long, hard, and it's going to suck. However, there will always be better days and even some of the best days. Remember to be a kid first. This journey isn't fair, but it brings the best people into your life. And know that people are working tirelessly to advance cancer research.
Maverick
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)
