One Year

December 11: One year ago today our world came to a pause with 4 words: “your son has cancer.” While it is impossible to describe the all-consuming fear, anger and sadness that comes with such a diagnosis, watching Michael through this journey has been remarkable. At 4 years old, he is a warrior. His strength, resilience and smile is infectious. He has overcome obstacles that a grown (wo)man could not endure. Only raw facts can paint a picture of his continued bravery:

• 116 overnight stays in the hospital
• 28 cycles of chemotherapy
• 16 radiation treatments
• 2 surgeries
• 24 blood transfusions
• 11 trips to the ER
• 126 million new stem cell
• 6 months of immunotherapy

And by the grace of God, he is here. Fighting.

Our wish for him today and every day is that he continue to live life to the fullest. May he always embrace challenges in life with a smile … may he always be surrounded by love … and may one day he be blessed with a cure.

To our friends, family, co-workers and community that have supported us through this year, “thank you” will never be enough. We owe you a part of ourselves. To the angels that watched over us, thank you for answering all our tearful pleas. And to all the doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers and more, thank you for loving and caring for our family like your own.

The journey for Michael is far from over, but one thing is certain: he is strong, he is brave, and he is LOVED.