09/06/2026
September 5, 2026.
Today marks the eight month anniversary of Hunter being diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma.
Eight months.
Eight months of the hardest times of our lives to date. Eight months of fear, of uncertainty, of heartache. Eight months of watching our child fight for his life.
Also eight months of being totally embraced by community. Eight months of seeing the best side of humanity and of being helped by people we’d never met. Eight months of being supported by prayer across the US and in other countries, even. Eight months of praying.
New friendships formed. Some friendships got stronger and a few friendships were lost.
Some family became closer and some more distant.
It’s has been such a wild ride.
While our warrior was fighting we also saw other kids fighting. You can’t begin to imagine what these kids go through. It changes you. I personally feel that we do not know enough about childhood cancer. I don’t feel people want to know, quite honestly. I think the majority of people want to look away. I think that everyone feels somewhat invincible, like it will never happen to them. I felt that way and then suddenly it was my grandbaby wearing a hospital ID bracelet, confirming his name and birthdate to the nurses. Watching in awe of Hunter displaying a maturity I never thought possible and wish wasn’t necessary. His courage and resilience was incredible. He became my hero.
Stepping off the elevator and seeing a sign that read Hematology Oncology was so surreal. It was a pervasive feeling of disbelief that lasted months.
Sitting in the waiting room for nearly 14 hours while one of the people who we love most in this world underwent limb salvage surgery was one of the most difficult days we’ll ever experience.
We do not share our story for attention.
We do not share our story for sympathy.
We share our story out of love. I realize that may sound strange. When Hunter was diagnosed we searched out other stories. We wanted to know what to expect. Remember, we were told Hunter could lose his arm. We were told his whole year would be messed up.
After we shared our story, two other moms reached out to our family. Their sons had Ewing Sarcoma in their humerus like Hunter. We learned so much from those families.
We want to help others.
We want the world to know what pediatric cancer looks like. It is so important to learn the signs. It’s important to know when how to advocate for your child because we read story after story of parents being told their child has growing pains, anxiety or muscle pain due to sports.
We’ve wished all day every day that no one knew who Hunter is but we were dealt this hand of being a pediatric cancer family and we will not sit back and be quiet. We will fight for change. Three kids from the same school district with Ewing Sarcoma during a one year period is not normal. We need to make our story public.
We share our story to offer hope. And most importantly to help. I am happy to talk to anyone about our story and I wholeheartedly hope people are talking about what’s going on in our area with the rising pediatric cancer cases.
September is pediatric cancer awareness month.
Attached is a photo of Hunter on New Year’s Eve 2025. The day his pain had gotten so severe, he was taken to the ER for answers. Also a photo of Hunter telling me he had cancer via FaceTime. Doctors told us it was cancer, but we didn’t know for certain what type until January 7, 2026. There is also photo of Hunter after his bone biopsy. And a photo of Hunter teaching his little sister what his IV is.
Just joining us?
Hunter is 9 years old. He was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma on January 5, 2026 when he was 8 years old.
He had limb salvage surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital on April 14, 2026. Dr Megan Anderson was his orthopedic oncology surgeon and Dr Steven DuBois is a Ewing Sarcoma and Neuroblastoma expert. Both oversaw Hunter’s treatment.
He endured 8 months/ 14 rounds of interval compression VDC/IE chemotherapy At Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse, N.Y.
He completed chemotherapy on 8/24/26 and rang the bell.
I write this at the bottom of most updates to help other families facing pediatric cancer.
