We asked her earlier that day to call us ASAP...we preferred not to wait until tomorrow for the news. And when she did, time stopped and shock set in. Levi and Ellie were in the playroom as we both cried. How did we get here?
Friday, August 14, was like any day - we went to work and the kids went to daycare. I took a half day off to hang out with my girlfriend Laura that I last saw when I was 5 months pregnant with Levi. Now looking back, I think God brought her here on that day for a reason. We've always stayed in touch but funny how she decided to visit at that point in time. Laura saw Levi and Ellie playing around and having fun with her son Josiah that evening. Everything seemed 'normal' until that night at 12:12 am when Levi woke up screaming with leg pain. Saturday, the pain continued along with a low grade temp. Sunday, I was scared because if you Google "leg pain, fever, fatigue" Leukemia comes up. Of course, we all know not to trust Google so I put that in the back of my mind and took Levi to Ballantyne Children's Urgent Care. The doctor working said 'He's fine - just a virus that needs to run it's course. He'll be better in a couple days." I left feeling better - it's just a virus that has to run it's course. Then the cries at night of leg pain continued. And, every single day after school (Monday - Thursday), he was exhausted. He wanted to lay on the couch and watch Mickey - that's it. He wasn't eating and now his stomach was hurting. Levi would curl into a ball on the floor and cry out in pain. Friday, I took him to see his doctor.
One week after the leg pain began, they took blood samples. Labs showed low red blood cell count. So, they took more blood from an IV in his arm to be sent to the hospital for analysis. I could see concern in the doctor's eyes and I knew at that moment, this was serious. Leukemia is all I could think from that moment forward. Saturday, we went back to our Peds office where we were quickly told Levi was being admitted to the hospital and we were to meet with an Hematologist /Oncologist. Fear. Absolute fear. Things were getting real at this point. Shock.
After hours of waiting around at the hospital, more labs were completed. The results --- low red blood cells and his WBC was low but not 'scary low'. We were discharged but instructed to come to the Hematologist office that Monday morning for more labs. So we did. And the labs continued to show no improvement. At this point, we were told that Levi either had TEC Anemia cause by a virus and was treatable within a matter of days. Or it was Leukemia. So, it was either "nothing" in the grand scheme of things or it was something life changing. Dr. MacMahon told me that Monday that he was highly concerned that Levi had stomach and leg pain as those are key symptoms for Leukemia, when blood work also reflects anemia. In addition, Levi's neutrophils were low - another sign. We decided, after a thorough conversation with the doctor, to have a bone marrow aspiration done Wednesday to know once and for all if this was indeed Leukemia.
Wednesday was rough. Levi hates being "poked" and he was getting blood work done every day at this point. In addition, now he's getting an IV and prepped for surgery (i.e. bone marrow aspiration). Seeing Levi under sedation was one of the hardest things I've had to watch to-date. Drew and I cried and cried. We both were still spinning from what was happening - the pain of watching Levi go through all of this was so overwhelming. I'll probably say overwhelming a lot going forward because that's what this experience has been to-date on so many levels. And to get to the ending, because this post is now way too long --- the doctor called that same night to tell us that Levi did indeed have Leukemia.
The first thing I did was pray.
The first person I called was my Mom.
August 26, 2015, is a day Drew and I will always remember.
Now, the fight begins. We will be side by side with Levi through this journey. He is never alone.
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| Our Super Hero! |
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| Warming his fingers before another poke |
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| Sick little Levi |
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| I bought Levi this shirt the day he was diagnosed - it seemed to be a perfect fit. |
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| Cuddles with Daddy at the doctor office |
6 comments:
Thank you for your thoughts, Julie. I pray that one day Levi will look back at this blog and see just what a fighter he is and that he can be anything he wants to be. All my love.
Julie and Drew,
I think about you and Levi every day and send prayers your way.
James
Julie & Drew,
My friend Cara from Raleigh Galloway shared your blog. I personally don't know you or your family but I was moved to tears from your words and the pictures of your beautiful son, Levi. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family as this journey begins.
Paula O'Neal
I was a Raleigh Gallowayer for many yrs and remember running with you; I will praying for your son and for all of you. God is in ultimate control.
I was diagnosed on January 20th, 1983 with Leukemia. It was my brother, Kevin McNeil's 5th birthday. I was 8 years old.
I can identify with Levi because I have been there. I am a parent, but I can't imagine your heartache. I do know that you and your family and friends will make all the difference in the world to Levi.
I'm sure my Mom would welcome a call to give you her perspective.
The research is better, the treatments are better, the meds are better, the doctors are more knowledgeable and God is listening. I beat it and so will Levi.
God Bless,
Meghan Mellor
Julie,
I am so touched by your story. You don't know me, but I have been a runner with Galloway for many years and followed the link that Cara sent out. Please know that many people will be praying for you. Your sweet boy is in God's hands. I can only imagine that rough road you have ahead of you. Be strong and keep believing in a bright future for Levi.
-Esther Dill
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