1.   Cancer.  When did this word enter your life?
4/26/10 – Alex had a cough and fever along with a distended abdomen.  It is common for Alex to be diagnosed with pneumonia twice a year so that is what we thought we were going to be treated for.  What a surprise when we found out the final outcome and rushed over to the Children’s Hospital in Peoria to begin treatment for Rhabdomoyosarcoma.

2.   How has cancer affected your family in a positive and/or negative way?
Cancer has affected our family in both negative and positive ways.  I think the negative ways are obvious (financially, stress on the family and of course Alex’s health).  Positive ways may be harder to recognize but we can see them.  We have grown closer as a family despite the stress that we are enduring, we are so thankful for what we have (not that we were not before, but are more thankful now), Alex has taught our family so much. He is such a strong young man and we are proud to say that we have had a hand in providing him with  that trait, we know that it will take him far in life.

3.   What has been the biggest challenge or struggle during your child’s treatment?
Being so far away from family and friends while being hospitalized for treatments of infections is very difficult.  We live 2 hours away from the hospital that we are treated at.  Keeping Alex’s routine as normal as we can for him is very important to us but is challenging in the fact that if he is not well he cannot attend school or the extra curricular activities that he enjoys.  Last but not least I think would be the financial aspect of the situation that we are currently experiencing.

4.   How have you and your family stayed mentally and emotionally healthy?
We have learned to take a moment for ourselves once in a while, which is a VERY difficult thing to do as you always want to be there for him to make sure that he is okay.   Raising a child is a difficult task but raising a child stricken with cancer is an even more difficult and overwhelming task (there as medications to think about, the risk of infections, treatments and appointments to attend, the general health of the child and so may other outside concerns).

5.   What has brought the most joy or fun to your family’s life during your child’s treatment?
The AMAZING people on staff at the Children’s Hospital here in Peoria and at the St Jude Clinic here in Peoria.  I could not think of better people to spend our time with while we are admitted to the hospital and the level of care that our son receives here is top quality.  We have always been an active part of his treatment plan and always completely understand what is going to happen thanks to the extra-ordinary staff.

6.   What was your first reaction when you heard your family was chosen to receive help?
I cried, I am crying as I type the answers to these questions.  I know that you could have helped anyone but have chosen to help our family, it means so much to us.  We are truly grateful for the generosity of the program and we are truly blessed to have Valerie as a part of Alex’s treatment team

7.   How did you hear about Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation?
Valerie Smith from St Jude Clinic in Peoria IL