Make A Child Smile

Jake's Story
written by mom Debbie

Jake was born April 9th, 2002 by cesarean, weighing 6lbs. 9oz. He was always a fussy baby but very happy. He had a lot of energy and never napped. He was so attached to his big brother Kenny who was born July 20th, 2000 and just wanted to keep up with him. They are the best of friends.

I was a stay at home mom, taking care of 2 boys and always rushing, going from one place to the next. We were always on the go having fun. My boys were happy and most of all healthy. When Jake was 18 months old he was diagnosed with a peanut allergy and I thought my whole world had crumbled. How could I deal with this?! I thought that was the worst thing ever. Jake would never eat a thing unless his mom said it was ok. Even at school, he would always ask “Did my mom say I could have a cupcake?” It was so sad for him, but he was wise beyond his years and knew he just could not have it.

He loved school and by the time he was 3, I was back at work and he was at school 3 full days and loving every moment of it. He had so many friends and loved his teachers. Summer 2006 came and it was the best, we went on a few vacations, went to the beach, amusement parks, race tracks, fairs, barbeques and picnics We had a great summer. School came around way too quick and the boys were back in the swing of things by the end of September. It was getting cooler out and the pool was closed up for the winter.

October came and we had a family trip planned to Hunter Mountain for the big Oktoberfest, the boys were so excited. Jake had been running a low grade fever for about 2 weeks, but we thought nothing of it and packed the Tylenol. We got to Hunter and it was fun, but Jake was not himself and always very tired. He would say his legs hurt and he just wanted to rest, again we thought nothing. We made it through the trip and came home. He still wasn’t right. I kept him home from school for a few days. He seemed better and went back to school on Friday October 13th. When I got to school, to pick him up, he was sleeping in Miss Jean’s lap. That is just not Jake.

We had a big Halloween party to go that night, so I let him rest a bit and we were off. He was so excited to go, dressed as Lightening McQueen! He didn’t want to participate in anything, just sit with me. He feel asleep at the party and I knew he was not right. The next morning his fever was 102.9 and I took him to the pediatrician. They took a strep test and it came back positive, so they put him on some penicillin and sent us home. They told me to give it 24hrs and call them if he wasn’t any better.

By Monday October 16th, his temperature was 105 and he could not walk. I took him back to the pediatrician, not thinking anything terrible at this point. Both doctors examined him and took some blood a few times form his finger. They told me the blood machine was broken and to go right over to Schneider Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park, Long Island NY. I started to freak out. They told me to stay calm and that that was the best place for me to be. I raced home to get my husband, a NYC Firefighter and we were off.

What came next is etched in my mind forever. We sat in the ER for 8 hours crying of the unknown. We were then met by an Oncologist who told us our little 4 year old son had Leukemia and that he would have to be admitted. The tears have not stopped to this day. October 16th 2006, our whole world changed, Jake was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia B-Cell and his count was 17,000. He has been through too many finger sticks to count, bone marrows, spinals, mediport access's, hospital stays, clinic visits, shots in his legs, throwing up, feeling nauseous, taking more medicine than any kid I know and still can find a way to smile. He is tough and stong as any nurse at Schneider's will tell you!

We have a long road ahead of us. Jake will hopefully start maintenance at the end of September 2007. He will remain on that for 2 ½ years. We are hopeful this will all be behind us one day. I have changed forever and been blessed by God to have been given this special child to call my own. He has taught me how to appreciate every moment. I am so proud to be his mom, I am truly blessed. If I had anyone to thank, it would first be my Pediatricians, they are incredible people. The doctors and nurses at Schneider's are wonderful and without the childlife staff, we would be lost. We have made so many new friends and are trying our best to make something good out of something so horrible.