Leukemia, Captain Chemo, and Power Juice

Last night one of our dear friends said about the laughing incident that it might be unwise for ANYONE to laugh at our dear Jace. Most of Madison County plus many in Bonneville, Bingham, and Jefferson would “go to bat” for the Leatham boys. This AGAIN makes me cry. You all know how easily the tears are flowing from this emotionally battered mom…but they are mostly warm, grateful tears. Have I told you lately how thankful I am for EACH of you?

After the laughing incident, I’ve been thinking about how I can help others understand more about Jace’s cancer. I’ve been researching for a month to educate myself, but I realize I could share what I’ve been learning in an effort to help more people understand Leukemia. Also, I know many of Hayden’s and Jace’s friends are reading this blog, and it might help if I explain a little about this illness for more understanding.

One very useful site I’ve used to learn more is: http://www.leukemiafoundation.org/education . It explains:  LEUKEMIA literally means 'white blood.' Leukemia is the term used to describe a variety of cancers that begin in the blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow, the spongy material that fills the long bones in the body and produces blood cells. In leukemia, the bone marrow factory creates an overabundance of diseased white cells that cannot perform their normal function of fighting infection. As the bone marrow floods the bloodstream with diseased white cells, production of red cells (which prevent anemia) and platelets (which form clots to stop bleeding) slows and stops.

When Jace first went to the doctor on Sept. 9, the first thing we learned was that he was extremely anemic. In fact, after we had initial tests and we heard the word “anemic,” I came home and researched causes of anemia. I actually called Matt and said, “I’m sortof freaking out.” We decided not to “freak out” because there was- “No way Jace had cancer.” How little we knew—

After arriving at Primary Children’s Hospital on Sept. 11, one of the first things they did to help Jace was to give him healthy blood, or a blood transfusion. We quickly learned the cancerous cells in his body made up 95% of the cells in his blood, so he did not have enough red cells providing oxygen to his major organs. Many of you have asked me if we had any indication of Jace’s condition before we took him to the doctor on Sept. 9. The answer is no. Our first indication of any illness was his fever on Monday, Sept. 7. Looking back, the only symptom Jace had that was similar to other Leukemic patients was that he had leg aches. Once or twice during previous months he awoke in the night with leg aches that were isolated to the back of his knees into his thighs. We treated his leg aches with heat and Tylenol. The aches were always gone by morning.

Like we’ve talked about, Chemotherapy kills rapidly growing cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is saving Jace’s life. It is also making it quite miserable. He has virtually no energy, and although he is always hungry, he is always a bit nauseous. One misconception for children that see Jace wearing a mask is that he is sick, so he might make them sick. This isn’t true. Jace has to wear his mask so that others don’t make HIM sick with something in addition to his cancer.

Jace will be returning to Primary Children’s Hospital on Monday  for another Lumbar puncture and Bone Marrow Biopsy. We are praying for good cells. This morning I tearfully read Jace’s new favorite book to him called, “I’m a Superhero.” It is written by a cancer patient, Daxton Wilde. It reads:

“I have a bad guy inside of me called Cancer. He makes me really sick…inside of me there is a big, big fight going on. The doctors want to help kill the bad guy inside of me, so that’s when Captain Chemo comes to the rescue. The doctors give me medicine. They call it Chemotherapy, but I call it Power Juice…My nurse puts Power Juice in through my power button or my Port-a-Cath…I like my power button. It reminds me that I have super powers.”

I know Jace’s super powers are a combination of chemotherapy, Jace’s strong will, and prayer. Like I’ve said before Superheroes come in many forms, and Jace isn’t the only hero experiencing this saga. Thank you all for following by my side in this journey and making a difference.