It's been a while, I know. Life can get so darn demanding at times. ha! Between sports, school for the kids AND myself, photography and the demands of being a wife and mom....WHEW!
We recently had a huge scare that turned our life upside down and back around. Last Thursday, my son, Cameron stayed home from school with complaints of a belly ache. This was a last minute decision. As the day grew, he started feeling much better. I felt comfortable making the decision to take my daughter into Eugene for her gymnastics practice. I felt that he was doing well enough to come along. 1/2 hour into being at the gym, he started not feeling well, which was VERY apparent. Although I was a little taken back by how well he had been doing beforehand, I decided to make arrangements for my daughter to get a ride home so I could get him home. Traveling down the freeway, on the way home, I just happened to look back in the rear view mirror to find my son, white as a ghost and not looking so good. A mom's instinct is always right, I panicked and took him into the hospital.
Upon getting there, he could barely walk out of the car. He was going downhill, quick! My panic buttons started going off at this point. 105 fever?!? seriously? just a few hours prior he had no temp! I have always panicked about fevers ever since my daughter had a febrile seizure at 8mos of age.
The docs started IV on him, gave him some meds to get his fever down as he projectile vomited and laid there looking like death. The decision was made to take him back to get a CT scan, their suspicion was appendicitis. We were told to get prepared for our son to be rushed into surgery, but what came out of their mouths next, stopped our lives cold in their tracks.
Lymphoma? My son has Cancer? I remember 2 docs and many nurses coming into our room, closing the door and telling us that our son's appendix looked good. I was relieved, but I knew something else was terribly wrong. Based on the CT scan, your son has a mass on his bowels, hardening wall in his intestines and an abnormal spleen. His blood results came back and his white cell count is astonishingly low. My heart started racing, my body tingled and I started getting sick and all I can remember at this point was a nurse trying to get me out of that room to check me into the hospital for medical help. I wouldn't leave my son, he was upset, calling out for his mommy. I had to regain my composure, I just had too.
I finally calmed down, but all I had left in me were tears, and lots of them. I looked at my husband and all I could see were the same as he stared at his precious little boy. How could this be happening, I asked myself. He's so healthy and active! I found myself rewinding time, trying to think back on any possible clues of fatigue, sickness, anything! And I kept coming up with nothing.
Family rushed to the hospital after receiving the news via phone calls in concern for Cameron and ourselves. We were distraught. I remember walking down the hallway with a few of the Physicians on staff that night, hand in hand while tears streamed down my face. Nurses would pass by me and give me a quick rub on my back. The whole E.R was concerned about the news.
We finally checked out of the hospital 8 hours later, late in the night. We had to have family drive us home because we were just to shaken up. Upon coming home, I broke down in the middle of our front living room floor, sobbing. My son laying in bed weeping. I couldn't bear the news, what were we going to do? Neither my husband or I could sleep, at all. We had our son in-between us in bed, holding him tight and not wanting to let go.
The next day finally came after a long night of grieving. I was so fatigued at this point, but my body wouldn't allow me to settle down. This day we went to see his pediatric doctor for a follow up and to get our orders for Portland Dornbecher's Hospital. I felt like I was in this big dream and that I was going to wake up at any moment. All we could do was TRY to keep our composure for the sake of little Cameron, so we could start his treatment or whatever was next for him.
Upon seeing his pediatrician, he ordered more STAT blood work. My son was so upset, he didn't want to get poked yet, again. This really upset me as all I could think about was his future of needles, chemo and radiation. Why does God give this terrible disease to children?
His blood work came back virtually the same, no change, which was good in the aspect of not having to "rush" him up to Portland, but that just meant that we had to wait for 4 days before being seen up there. This was the longest 4 days of my life, literally. Our son was still very sick and we were told to keep him home because of his low white cell count, he was prone to viruses.
All we could think about was our Son's future. I've always considered myself as a good momma. Always putting my children first. But I found myself with many regrets. The times I yelled at him, or the times I swatted him on his bottom or..... I just had so many emotions and hurt so much for him.
The day finally came. Dornbecher Children's Hospital. I wasn't ready, but I was. I just wanted to get him better, but was SO scared to find out his prognosis. What kind of Lymphoma did he have? Our day was long and grueling. Lots of in depth testing, MORE blood work and lots of waiting around.
Finally, all the tests were in and the Oncologist walked in, closed the door and sat down. I remember having that panic feeling again. I started to get light headed and feeling sick all over again. I did good however keeping my composure, but I was dying inside. The Doctor came right out and said.....He's been cleared of Cancer. No Lymphoma, No Leukemia. I had been so distraught, I didn't know what to think at first. Do I believe her? What about the mass on the CT scan? I had to ask again. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I know I prayed to God to heal my son, and that little boy had prayer chains like no one has ever had, but did a miracle just happen?
The overwhelming joy rushed through my body like it never had. I looked over at my husband, his head leaning up against the wall, sobbing. He was so happy. He asked the Oncologist if he could hold his son. That's all he wanted most at that moment. This is the capture.... a moment of pure happiness and relief.
Every time I look at this photo, I sob all over again. This was such a tender moment for both of us. My husband has his son back, his healthy little boy. His partner, best friend and soul.
The mass on his bowels happened to be Inflammation from diarrhea. The hardening wall in his intestines....food passing thru his belly at the time of the CT scan. Abnormal spleen....it was abnormal due to a virus that attacked my poor boy. A terrible virus that had virtually the same effects as Lymphoma. Either way, McKenzie Willamette is currently under investigation for these accusations, faults made and most of all....the WRONG diagnosis they made that turned our lives upside down and back around. A lot of damage was done to our family. My husband missing a weeks worth of work, I had to drop my class, because I was in final's week when this all happened, and many other un-mentioned things.
In the end however; I have a very healthy son. 3 days after our trip to Dornbecher, he went back to school. There wasn't a dry eye in that school when we walked through those doors. Everyone was SO relieved. He played in his game that evening as well, and I can't explain how much that meant to us. To sit and watch our son play sports....A whole new appreciation.
I thank God everyday for my Son now. I was thankful before, but even more now. We all are at fault for taking life for granted at times, but after this....I certainly see life in a different light. It's made me a stronger person and has brought me even closer to my Son. The Lord healed. He heard us, every single one of those prayer chains for our little Cameron and he answered them. I thank the Lord above for giving us such a wonderful gift, and best of all.....It came a few days before Mother's day. What an awesome gift! This Mother's day was so very special to my husband and I. Life is way to precious to worry about the petty things. Love your children and those around you, because you will never know when it will all come to an end.
Sheri
