by Ashley Wood, Porter’s Mom
Rexburg, Idaho

By definition a challenge is an invitation to participate in a fight, competition or contest. Our family knew 2013 would be a year of challenges. We were prepared for a fight, but had no idea how difficult it would really get. My husband accepted a new job that would require months of training in a law enforcement academy. As a mother of four boys, I knew I would need help during his absence. We made the choice to move to Idaho - back to our home town - where grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins could surround us with support. As the school year ended and summer began, we emptied our home on the Washington Peninsula, made the move to a new state, new school, new adventures and said goodbye to daddy, knowing our time together as a family would be scarce over the next ten months. A test for sure, but one we knew we could pass.

A month after the move our little Porter’s eye began to swell. Bumps and bruises are common when raising boys - especially a four year old. We didn’t think much of it. Maybe it was a bug bite from our last huckleberry picking trip in the woods, or a haphazard swing on the playground. A week of irritation made me worry he might have an infection, so I took him to the Optometrist. My biggest worry (at that time) was put to rest when the doctor said it was not an infection but more likely an allergic reaction. We left the office with some eye drops and resumed our summer activities. Another week passed and the right eye looked even more irritated and swollen, I made an appointment with a local Ophthalmologist. As the assistant began to examine Porters eye it was obvious his vision was compromised. The doctor continued the exam, but I knew before he even said the words “orbital mass” that we were facing something serious. The next day we were admitted to a local hospital for an MRI. The results were not what we hoped.

I called my husband and told him to catch the first flight he could to Salt Lake City, UT. We met at Primary Children’s Hospital where Porter was admitted to surgery for a biopsy. Later in recovery, I watched my husband hold our son, tears running down his face as the surgeons told us the mass was cancerous. On August 20th the mass was officially diagnosed as a granulocytic sarcoma and on August 30th he began treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Two days later my husband returned to Washington, our three boys remained in Idaho with loving family members, and I watched as Porter endured his first chemotherapy treatment in Utah.

Porter is not letting cancer stop him at all. A quote given to us by family sums up his spirit,

Superhero’s aren’t strong because they have a lot of muscles, but because they never stop fighting.

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Porter is a fighter, he is an inspiration, he is my SUPERHERO!! Superheroes like to keep busy so we utilize every resource we can to keep him entertained. During his inpatient stays he spends weeks in his room without leaving. Creativity is key; he likes to paint, color, read and play games. Like all young boys he is bouncing off the walls 24/7 (he is SPIDER-MAN after all!!). His favorite activity is jumping on the mini trampoline we borrow from physical therapy. He likes to see new faces and loves visitors. His favorite visitors are family, especially his three brothers. He is a budding movie director and likes to make movies in his spare time. The basic criteria is: If it makes him laugh, it is good!!

We are still navigating all that comes with being a parent of a child who has cancer. It doesn’t seem real. Months ago healthcare at meant taking care of my children’s minor cuts and bumps, a cold or an ear infection. Porter’s home health care needs now range from regular central line care - like saline flushes and heparin locks - to dressing changes and antibiotics administered through a broviac line in his chest. As ‘normal’ as these things have become there are some things I will never get use to. Watching him in pain and discomfort will never get easier, dividing my time between home and hospital will always be difficult. I have hope for the future but will never stop worrying about the possible outcomes of his disease.

With all that said, I am overwhelmed by the love and support we have felt. Extended family and friends, nurses, physicians and hospital staff have all made sacrifices on our behalf, lifting our burden in more ways than one. They cheer us on from the sidelines, they inspire us with their own triumphs over challenges, and we know we can make it. We have no doubt our sons health will be restored and look forward to the day we can look back, see how far we have climbed and continue to help others as they receive their own invitations to overcome adversity.

Story Lines is a feature on Play Ground telling personal stories and experiences – written by the individual. If you would like to share your hospital experience on this blog, please contact us.