Inspirational Stories

My grandson, Dominick, was diagnosed with high risk pre b cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in November 2014. He was 2 3/4 years old and it was only 8 months after his dad unexpectedly passed away. Obviously this was a new shock for his mom, Danielle and his family. His sister Gianna, who just turned 5, still hadn't got over the loss of her dad and now had to deal with her brother's illness. 

Dominick had severe bruising and was diagnosed by his pediatrician. He was rushed immediately to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York where he was admitted and treatment started immediately. 

His first stay at Sloan was 3 weeks where he received a port and was bombarded with chemotheraphy. Thanksgiving was spent that year in the hospital. 

He reacted relatively well to the chemo with some side effects, chemo holds, fevers, short hospital stays and one port infection, that needed to be replaced. 

In December 2016, Dominick received his last dose of chemo and was considered NED. This year, December 2021 we celebrated his 5 year off chemo anniversary. 

After all he has been through, Dominick is the sweetest, kindest, most loving 9 year old. 

The fear of relapse will always be in the back of our minds. Any bruising brings an unspoken fear. The side effects of the devil, chemo, still lingers but we still have our best buddy with us.

For that we will be forever grateful.