Our lives were turned upside down when Kaden was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma at the age of 12, on April 20, 2023. What we initially thought was just a sore throat turned out to be a mass in his neck, eventually leading to the discovery of cancer throughout his body. It was a devastating moment for our family, but we knew we had to stay strong for Kaden.
In the weeks leading up to Kaden’s diagnosis, he experienced an ear infection, followed by a fever and just an overall feeling of not being well. I had to take time off from work, which eventually led to me taking a medical leave to care for my son. After his diagnosis, Kaden had to undergo several procedures. One of the most challenging was the placement of a port, which was necessary for his chemotherapy treatment. He also had severe lumbar punctures, commonly known as spinal taps, to inject chemotherapy into his spinal fluid. These procedures were tough, but we knew they were crucial for his recovery.
God has blessed me with an extended family here at Nemours. Everyone in this place is like an angel. Dr. Powell has been Kaden’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology specialist at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware, and has been instrumental in guiding him through this journey. We are grateful for the exceptional care and support they have provided to our family.
We are feeling optimistic about Kaden’s recovery. He’s already completed 6 out of 9 rounds of chemotherapy, and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We’re eager to get back to our normal life, and Kaden is making incredible progress.
We’re looking forward to taking a much-needed vacation to Disney World once Kaden is fully recovered. It’s something that we’ve all been dreaming about, and it symbolizes the return to normalcy for our family. We are determined to continue healing and recover fully. The future is looking brighter, and we are filled with hope.
To all the brave patients and families going through a similar journey, I want to say this: Be strong. Keep your head up. Don’t give up. Fight!
A note to Kaden from Dr. Powell:
“I read Kaden’s incredible journey with a smile in my face, determination in my heart, and tears in my eyes. This young man has been the funniest, kindest, most steadfast guy ever, and it has been such a pleasure to know him and his beautiful family. From the start, it was clear that we were dealing with a family affair, as there was so much love and support from his whole clan. He handled the whole thing like a champ, just the right mix of bravery and vulnerability which allowed him to ask for help and kept him strong enough to push through the tough times. His smile is one of the most beautiful around, and his eyes twinkle with mischief. I am so proud of the way that he has met the challenge of his cancer, and I am so excited for him to come to the end of this journey, and to start a return to school. I have been blessed to know him and his family, and I have the highest hopes for a bright future for him!”
