Sometime ago we introduced you to one of our heroes, Ben Martinez, who is waging a brave battle against Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. Ben finished his chemo treatments in June of 2014, however in January of 2015 the cancer came back, and it spread throughout his body. Now 14-years-old, Ben is fighting “the monster” once again.
Ben has had the strong support of his family, and especially the support of his older brother Rob.
Ruthie was just 4 ½ years old in February 2006. The next school year she would enter Kindergarten, which meant she needed to get her physical. At her annual physical she passed and got an immunization. Two days later we notice a little lump on her left neck. Ruthie being the youngest of our three children, we just thought maybe it was a swollen lymph node.
When the ultrasound tech at Children’s Mercy uttered those words to my Mom and I on July 25th 2001, my heart shattered. Born on November 13, 2000, Wilson Allen Bledsoe proved from day one just how strong and determined he could be. He had a few minor issues all the while just being a typical happy baby.
Chloe was diagnosed in August of 2008 with what was thought to be Stage 3 Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. At the time she had a tumor behind her left ear. Chloe also had several lymph nodes removed. It was later discovered her Rhabdomyosarcoma was Stage 1!
In December of 2010, Cassie started complaining of back pain. When it was not getting better after 3 days, we took her to her doctor, who told us to bring her back if it did not start getting better within a week. We knew it was time to take her back in when she would not get off the couch due to pain and when she started whimpering in her sleep.
Beginning of June 2013, Ben came in with a very tiny bump on his left foot (size of a pea) thinking he had been bit by a spider. It wasn't red, or hot to touch, but I treated it with Benadryl and then some Tylenol for discomfort. On June 13th, we went to Disneyland, but he was complaining of his foot hurting really bad, so bad in fact that he wasn't even able to enjoy Disneyland. We had to let him use the wheel chair that my mom was using. We get back to motel that night and the bump had grown to size of a quarter.
In March 2012, Trevor was diagnosed with Stage IV Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare soft tissue sarcoma found almost exclusively in children. Trevor underwent 54 weeks of treatment, 28 days of radiation and a surgery to remove his tumor. Trevor was accepted into a clinical trial to test his tumor and determine what chemotherapy drugs would be the best to fight his cancer type.
Jenessa Britton was diagnosed on February 6, 2008 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She completed treatment on May 20, 2010 and continues to have No Evidence of Disease. Jenessa loves to sing, dance, color, draw, and above all she loves Justin Bieber! Her favorite color is blue and she loves the beach. When she grows up she wants to be an olympic swimmer.
Derek's health has many challenges and he suffers from a very rare genetic mutation he acquired at conception that presents at birth called Kostmann's Syndrome. He also has two other mutations and is sadly, bracketed as a pre-leukemic due to the combination of mutations and one in particular. When Derek was first diagnosed, they said he wouldn't live past the age of 4, but he has diligently fought a courageous battle and is now 15.
A local boy from Ashland, Oregon, Alex was diagnosed with a Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma brain tumor in May of 2013 at the age of 11. He was an amazing young man who loved to ride and race his bike with his Dad. He took 4th overall for his division in Oregon. Alex also loved to ski, surf and had recently started soccer. He excelled in school (he was a math whiz) and volunteered at the animal shelter, where he was known as the cat whisperer because of his love for cats.
Sammy is 6 years old as of this writing and was diagnosed Stage IV Neuroblastoma on July 3rd 2012. Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer of the sympathetic nervous system and is very aggressive and difficult to fight. We wish Sammy all the best and are hopeful for a healthy future for "Super Sammy".
Sophie began showing symptoms that something was wrong when she began vomiting on April 14, 2011. After several trips to the pediatrician and ER, she was turned away each time while doctors dismissed her illness to something minor like a "reflux, virus, or ear infection". During her last visit to the ER, Sophie's mom made a call to her pediatrician and they agreed to finally admit her to the hospital. After a CT scan of her brain was performed it was determined that Sophie had a brain cancer known as Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET).
In July of 2012, JJ went for his 10 year check up. At the end of the visit we casually mentioned that JJ had been having some leg pain. It wasn't constant and would come and go with no explanation. There were no bruises, lumps, or redness; no fever or signs of infection, and it wasn't enough to keep him from going to school or martial arts classes every day. It wasn't something we were overly concerned about (more of a nuisance than anything) and not something we would have made an appointment for specifically.
On August 14, 2012, Marik was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer that is found primarily in children called Osteosarcoma. A little less than a month later he would undergo a procedure to have his right leg amputated. He's been making great progress ever since, continues with his chemotherapy, and lets nothing stand in his way. We love this "Little Man", as he's known.
A local boy from Ashland, Oregon, Jack was diagnosed with an aggressive Astrocytoma brain tumor on his spine in January of 2013 at the age of 8 years old. Shortly thereafter Jack had some of the tumor resected and started treatment that included radiation and chemotherapy. Through all that he endured in treatment and the side effects of his disease, Jack remained an active, playful and happy boy.
Skyler began experiencing symptoms in September of 2012. He could not lay flat because it would make him cough so much that it made it difficult for him to breathe.His doctors noticed a cluster of his lymph nodes on the right side of his neck and what is known as petechiae on his skin (red and purple spots). His doctors originally started him on a treatment regimen for asthma but he experienced fevers and his condition was not improving. His mother decided to take him back to the Emergency Room at OHSU in Portland because she felt something else was wrong. Her feelings would later be confirmed – Skyler had Leukemia.
Cassie was diagnosed in 2010 with Stage IV High Risk Neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer that affects the sympathetic nervous system. A local girl from Oregon, Cassie has been fighting bravely against her disease. She is just as brave and tough as she is beautiful and we look forward to the day when she has kicked cancer to the curb for good.
Danny was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma with Central Nervous System infiltration in November of 2012. Don't let his quiet and calm "Clark Kent" exterior fool you because Danny is truly Super Man. He has been through a lot of rough patches in his treatment and is as tough as nails, enduring chemotherapy and radiation along with all of the horrible side effects that come with it.
Ava completed a 2 1/2 year treatment protocol on April 5, 2013 for Biphenotypic Leukemia, including chemotherapy and cranial radiation. She was diagnosed on 12/24/10 at the age of 8. She is a thriving, beautiful girl and we hope for her continued remission and good health int the future.
On April 16, 2010 Tyler (then age 8) was diagnosed with T-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. At diagnosis, Tyler had a mass that extended across his chest all the way from his neck to his diaphragm. Tyler completed his treatment and remains cancer free to this day. He is now followed by a pediatric oncologist that he sees for blood work and examinations. He's grown into a very healthy and happy teenager.
Caden was just 2 years old when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in August of 2010. He has had a few bumps along the way but is making great progress. Caden is currently in remission from his cancer and is doing well.
Michael was a local boy from our area in Southern Oregon. He was diagnosed with Pre B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in February of 2008 at age 11 and would wage a 5+ year battle with his cancer. Michael would endure pulls, IV's, chemotherapy, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations, and test after test. Through it all he kept a positive, comforting, and loving attitude.
On December 9, 2011 (his 14th birthday), Deven was diagnosed with Stage 2b Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. He endured chemotherapy and radiation and achieved remission in May of 2012. Sadly, Deven relapsed just 3 weeks later. Deven fought very hard and was awaiting a stem cell transplant, but his body could endure no more and was no longer responding to treatment.
Michael was a local boy from our area in Southern Oregon. He was diagnosed with Pre B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in February of 2008 at age 11 and would wage a 5+ year battle with his cancer. Michael would endure pulls, IV's, chemotherapy, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations, and test after test. Through it all he kept a positive, comforting, and loving attitude.