On May 7th, 2020, we went into LVHN for an MRI to determine if a little lump we found on our 6 month-old son’s back was what we feared it to be. We paced the floors praying for good news. Two hours later, we found out our perfect baby boy has cancer. He was diagnosed with stage 3 Neuroblastoma. The suspicious “little lump” was a tumor wrapping around his tiny little spine, almost paralyzing him. There are no words that explain how a parent feels on the day of diagnosis and the scary journey of the unknown that follows.

Shane is currently in treatment. He is receiving chemotherapy in hopes that the tumor will decrease in size and detach from his spine.

It will not be removed as surgery could be life threatening to him.

Therefore, the tumor will be monitored throughout his life to be sure it does not grow nor attach to his spine again.

To have your baby receive chemotherapy is heartbreaking, day in and day out.

But we, along with his medical team, will do all that we can to keep him here and as healthy as possible. This journey is not just right now…it’s forever. But as long as we have forever with him it is more than worth it.

PCFLV has truly been a light in the dark for so many families like ours. They have offered support since his diagnosis. They’ve connected us with other families who’ve become family. They gave gifts to our other children, which really warmed my heart. They understand that the whole family feels the effects of this monster called cancer. We’ve received gas and grocery cards that help a great deal when you are driving to the hospital daily! I’ve even been surprised with lunch sent to clinic as Shane was receiving treatment. The most helpful service was having my house cleaned by a professional company after Shane can home from chemotherapy. Keeping germs away especially during a pandemic was a huge help.

PCFLV has a very special way of showing love to so many families, knowing exactly what to do to help our children smile and lessen the burden in any way they possibly can for parents. We are beyond grateful for PCFLV.

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Written by his mom, Jessica