Towards the end of January Ricky had dislocated his shoulder in a basketball game. That injury lead to an MRI that indicated he would need surgery on his labrum in his left shoulder. That was a bummer. He was out for the rest of his basketball season and would probably be out for the rest of the summer as well. It threw a wrench in the plans that Rick had to coach a team for him. I remember now how frustrating that was to us. (kind of funny now) Ricky continued to go to practices and watch and support his team. He also seemed to be getting more and more tired all the time. We chalked the laziness and orneriness up to being a growing 15 year old boy. I can recall many lectures he received about needing to "Man up!" and try harder, and how he was so blessed and talented and so more was going to be expected of him. It was true, and it still is true, but what we couldn't understand at the time was how hard he was probably already trying. We would say, "you think you are working hard now, but you don't even understand what hard is yet." A lot of people beat themselves up for these types of things, and feel guilty that they weren't more in tune with the situation. I don't feel bad about it. It is a parent's job to try to get their kid to reach their full potential, no matter what the situation. I've always known that Ricky is a really good kid, I just didn't understand how good.
He had been having little bouts with sickness on and off. Nothing extreme, but never really getting better. Around the 20th of Feb, we were out in the yard doing some work and Ricky was so lethargic that it was frustrating. I was talking to Rick about being more patient with him, when I looked and Ricky was curled up laying in the dirt, instead of shoveling it. Still blaming it on being a lazy 15 year old, I kind of laughed and said, "Good luck" to Rick, who was working with him. He would shovel 3 times and lay back down. It was pretty pitiful. Two days later we were helping a neighbor move, again Ricky was struggling with his energy. The other men there were encouraging him to "work with a smile." We didn't work long, and I told Rick then that I thought something was wrong with him, and to take it easy on him because he was trying his best. That was Saturday, on Sunday we had family over for dinner, Ricky was so pale we actually started looking up symptoms to things like mono, and pneumonia. Since we had a surgery scheduled for wednesday, we were concerned that he wasn't healthy enough to get it, and Rick had mentioned getting a blood test to see if he had some kind of infection.
Monday came and I was running errands and driving trailers around like any normal unpredictable day for me. Ricky called and said his finger was swelling up and that his hand was tingly and going numb. He said the secretaries at school said it might be a spider bite. So I went to pick him up and take him in to get checked. When we got there Dr. Le Bras checked all kinds of things, and didn't seem sure what might be the cause. I remember thinking, "I don't think he knows what is up with this kid at all". Because nothing seemed to be standing out, he said, "lets get a blood test to check", which is what I wanted in the first place. Ricky was not excited about the needles. He started to pass out in the chair when they drew his blood. Poor kid doesn't get much sympathy from his mom.
I took him home to rest and we called his coach and said he wouldn't be at practice. Then went on with the day. Blood tests take up to a week to get results back. So I wasn't expecting anything. Rick wanted to go get a business license for the basketball program he was starting up, and I was headed to Moroni to pick up another trailer with Angi (our neighbor). My phone rang, it was Dr. Le Bras. It had only been 2 hours. He asked if we could come back in, with my husband, to discuss the results. I knew it wasn't good, but I never thought of this. So we headed over. Rick went in to get the news, incase it was really bad, so that Ricky wouldn't have to hear it from a doctor. Then Ricky and I went in and Dad told us what it was... Leukemia. "and there is a bed waiting for you at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake." We both cried, Rick cried. But now I would just call it "tearing up" in comparison to the crying that has come since.
We went home to pack Ricky's bag. He found a baby to hug.
Rick called family and had them meet us at the house. Opa was in town, so ricky was surrounded by his dad, 3 uncles, and both grandfathers and our Bishop and given a priesthood blessing before we left. He was promised that he would receive the best possible care from the best doctors. He was told that he was greatly loved by his family and by the community around him, and he was told that this is his book and his story to write.
Tuesday Feb. 25, 2014
We received the results of his tests, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The best thing they could hope for, because they know the most about it, and have a very high success rate in their treatments. They would be doing more tests to further define it. They check genes on a smaller level that have shown to be harder to treat. So we are hoping that those come back ok. Lots of visitors, lots of support. Hundreds of email and Facebook messages. Makes me stay up crying because of the kindness of others.
Wednesday through Sunday
Surgery to put a direct access port into his chest for chemo, spinal tap to check for cancer in the spinal fluid, and bone marrow check as well. Then Chemo started. Steroids to help his body fight the Chemo, results in temporary diabetes. So then he learned how to check his sugars and give himself insulin shots. Not his favorite thing, seeing as just Monday he was about to pass out from a blood draw. There are lots of medications, and things to check.
I'll try to catch up on all of the wonderfully kind and miraculous things that others have done for us sometime, but now I'm just trying to catch up on Ricky for the last week.
He came home on Sunday.
They have told us it will be 6-9 months of pretty aggressive treatment, and then 2-3 years of maintenance treatments. We are hoping for the best, and quickest recovery for that boy.
We are honestly grateful for the love that is surrounding us at this time. We are amazed at the goodness in the world. Ricky is a total stud. And this trial in his life will just make him even more so. I am sad for him, because he is suffering, and at the same time excited for him for the growth it will bring and the ways in which he will be able to touch other people's lives. What an amazing opportunity! and challenge, all mixed into one. The first night I looked at him and asked, "so, are you pissed!?" He kind of chuckled at my phrasing of it, then said, "yea, I'm pissed." A few days later he was in the halls making new friends, and looking for ways to make other people's day a brighter one. He amazes me. I love that boy. He is not having fun, but he is growing into an amazing man.
Thank you for sharing this! Love you guys.
ReplyDeleteMaren, I am just reading this news and crying for you and your family. Will say an extra prayer for you tonight.
ReplyDeleteLove, Helen