A Mother's Heart

"The first day of summer break of 2006 Joshua awoke with what was thought to be the flu. Major complaints were a horrible headache and neck pain. His temp began to rise as the next few days passed and the head and neck only worsened. We visited a colleague of our pediatrician (ours was on vacation) who suspected a viral infection. 

As the next few days passed little things began to occur. Were they linked? The overprotective mother in me felt, "yes, they are". There were two days when Joshua's eyelids became really droopy. And leg pain! It seemed to be growing pains-felt only during the night hours, but really painful. 

Then one morning I awoke to his screaming from his bed. He was unable to even move his legs. I massaged them as I could and he fell to sleep, but only for a few minutes before his cries rang out again. We again visited a 2nd colleague who felt certain it was a virus. This particular virus would explain all symptoms, including the droopy eyelids.

Joshua was scheduled for an ophthalmologist visit to confirm suspicions. On the 10th day of Joshua feeling so horribly-headache, neck pain, leg pain growing worse each day- we finally spoke with our pediatrician who immediately called us in to her office. Joshua's name was called and as he walked in to the office he saw Dr. Campbell and an uncontrollable flow of tears began racing down his face. He hugged her tightly and said, I feel SO bad! He'd never cried like that!

I knew 2 things at that moment:
               1. Joshua was very, very sick.

               2. We had the perfect pediatrician for our son. He trusted her to make things right.

A very quick look at Joshua and a once over on the symptoms and we were immediately sent to the ED of Phoenix Children's Hospital. The doctor suspected viral meningitis and spoke of a spinal tap. If only his intuition had been right. The blood work results were in. 

Joshua was diagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia, one of the most common forms of childhood cancer. Statistics show an 80-85% chance of survival.

Waiting for their new puppy!

God, show us the way!!" 
-Meredith Gass