One week ago today, September 13, 2010, my nephew Aidan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). This form of cancer is 97% curable but first he must go through two to three years of chemo treatments.
Aidan’s first day at the hospital involved bone marrow tests and confirming leukemia as well as his first blood transfusion.
Day 2: Aidan had just had his first blood transfusion the night before and was feeling great and full of energy. He was so excited since he had been lacking energy for the past month. Aidan did not know about the blood transfusion and only remembered the shot to sedate him. He said “I’m so glad I got that shot it really made me feel better!”
Day 3: Right after Aidan had the surgery to have his Hickman put in. He was sore and upset about it but he was still trying hard to be him self. (The Hickman is a tube in his chest that runs up to his neck into a vein and close to his heart. It is used to give him his chemo treatments.)
Day 5: This was after his chemo and spinal tap. It was not his best day but he was content with drawing.
Aidan 
I love this, tragedy ultimately defeated by our love. Corny but true…
what an awesome boy!! i know he be strong through it all. he is in my prayers. xoxo
What a brave little soul!
Will keep in my prayers.
Keep up your great art=^.^=
My son Brian has been in treatment for ALL for a little over a year now and is finally out of the worst of it which is the first year. Such a horrible thing to watch your son go through. He is 4 now. The steroid treatment in the beginning was the worst but he got through it. Chemo, spinal taps, blood tests, blood transfusions, long stays at a Ronald McDonald house during extended treatments. I’m sure all of this is familiar to you and your son.
I wish you all peace and love and health during this most difficult time. Leukemia as well as any kind of cancer just plain sucks, but kids are feisty fighters and manage to keep their spirits up even in the worst of times.
Have patience with your son because he will try to destroy any that you may have. Steroids will do that. All of this will pass and you will eventually have your son back!! 🙂 We love you Aiden. Be strong.
I found Aidan’s art through twitter, he’s quite the little artist. I did re-tweet the link to his Esty shop.
His story hit home because around the same time Aidan was diagnosed my best friends 4 year old daughter was also diagnosed with ALL on 9/5/2010. Also my friend had a baby back in June, so she has a infant to care for & a child battling leukemia.
I was happy to read Aidan is in remission, Evangeline went into remission 2 weeks ago (and is 2 weeks into round 2 of chemo, along with the weekly spinal taps). What amazes me is this little girls strength, she was on steriods for the first 4 weeks which made her irritable (we called it ‘roid rage) and a appetite like nobodies business…waking my friend up at 3am for fishsticks or lipton’s noodle soup. But even though she was tired, cranky, her belly always hurt from the chemo she was the strongest little girl I have ever seen with everything they were doing to her. Stronger than all the Adults around her. Now that she’s not on the steriods her funny personality is back.
I pray that Adian & Evangeline stay in remission! I believe god has a bigger plan for them. Maybe Adian will grow up to be a famous artist & Evangeline will be a stand up comic or comedic actress (she really does crack us up) but whatever they will be, they will be great.
Best of luck to you.
hi aidan
my name is ted and i’m a 5 year survivor of acute myeloid leukemia and i am 49yrs old now. i was diagnosed august 26th, 2004 and yes the hospital was not always fun but i always knew that the nurses and doctors were there to make me better. i want you to know that this journey you are on now gets better and when you finish your treatment you will grow strong again just like the super heroes you love!!! in fact i think you’ll be even stronger than before!!! good luck little buddy….
lots of love to you and your family,
ted