Four Years Ago Today
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008Four years ago today, we woke up and ate breakfast. Spencer still had a bit of a fever, but was feeling fine. The phone rang. Dr. Cardwell had the results of Spencer’s blood test and they strongly pointed to leukemia. He told us to go immediately to Specially for Children in the office tower next to Children’s Hospital of Austin, where Dr. James Sharp would see us right away. He advised us “don’t break the speed limit, but go as quickly as you can.” Thus began our journey through the world of pediatric cancer. Spencer had a bone marrow aspiration that afternoon to confirm and refine the diagnosis. We would learn the following week that he had a TEL/AML1 translocation which is associated with a good prognosis. Spencer began chemotherapy right away and the following morning had a port-a-cath put into his chest so they would have easier (and less traumatic for Spencer) access to his veins for blood tests and chemotherapy.
Today, Spencer woke up and ate breakfast. He started unwrapping LIVESTRONG wrist bands so he could give one to his teachers and classmates at school. He packed his backpack with the wrist bands, some LIVESTRONG stickers, and his homework. Then he walked to school. Sunday he goes for a little 45 mile bike ride through the Hill Country near Dripping Springs to celebrate this anniversary and the fact that he raised over $5000 (OK, technically, he’s not quite there, but he hasn’t yet gotten Rachel and me to give our donation and I’m confident his ask will be good enough to put him over if he doesn’t go over by tonight from others’ donations) to help the Lance Armstrong Foundation fight cancer worldwide. Not bad for an eight year old cancer survivor.
We are the lucky ones. Spencer had a form of cancer that was very treatable. We had excellent insurance. We were in a situation that let me take time off to deal with Spencer’s treatment. Since his treatment, I have had the freedom to choose a career change that will be less lucrative financially, but dramatically more rewarding. Spencer has grown physically, mentally, and spiritually in ways that absolutely blow me away with pride and awe. When I was eight, my big challenge was not getting invited to my friend Tommy’s birthday party.
But we need to do better as a society. I’d like to see treatment for ALL that is less destructive than the current combination chemotherapy that is the best medicine can offer. I’d like researchers to find a way to shorten the treatment and limit the side effects. I’d like us to cure more kids. I’d like us to detect cancers early enough to treat them. I’d like for all of us to share in the benefits of our medical technology. I’d like us to treat more cancers effectively. I’d like survivors to remain productive people worldwide. I’d like those who die to die on their own terms.
This morning I did a little bit to work on my own piece of that dream. I went out this morning to vote early and Vote Yellow. I’ve also had conversations recently with my State Representative (up for re-election) and State Senator. US Senators and Representative are on the list.
