In April of 2023, our lives changed forever. Jeremiah, our 14-year-old son, went for what we thought would be a routine eye appointment. But what seemed like a simple check-up turned into something far more serious. The doctor noticed hemorrhaging in both of Jeremiah's eyes, a red flag that something was terribly wrong. Within hours, we were sent straight to MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) for further tests.
The next 24 hours were a blur of uncertainty. Then came the devastating news: Jeremiah was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia called MPAL (Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia). It was a cancer we’d never heard of, and it was aggressive. Our world, already turned upside down, shifted even more as we learned that Jeremiah would need immediate, intensive treatment.
The first month was a whirlwind. Jeremiah was admitted to the hospital for inpatient treatment, enduring the grueling side effects of chemotherapy, and we began the process of understanding his complex condition. The treatments were intense, and because of how rare MPAL is, doctors worked around the clock to find the right course of action. Jeremiah’s body fought hard, but it didn’t go into remission as quickly as they had hoped. That meant the next step was even more challenging: a bone marrow transplant.
In September 2023, Jeremiah underwent the transplant. The chemotherapy and radiation leading up to the procedure were harsh on his young body, but the transplant was his best chance for survival. It was a long, difficult road—two months in the hospital as his body recovered and adjusted.
Then, something miraculous began to happen. Slowly, day by day, Jeremiah started to improve. His strength returned, his appetite came back, and the hospital room, once filled with fear, began to feel like a place of healing. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we were able to take him home.
One of the most significant milestones of our journey came this year when Jeremiah celebrated his one-year anniversary post-transplant. It felt like a victory, a hard-won triumph against the odds. While it was exciting to see him return to school this fall, there were still challenges. His immune system, weakened by the transplant and ongoing treatment, made him vulnerable to illnesses. He’s had two hospital stays this fall alone due to viral infections and allergic reactions to medication. On top of that, Jeremiah continues to fight against Host Versus Graft Disease, requiring nightly IV treatments at home.
Yet, through all of this, Jeremiah remains determined. He is strong, resilient, and always looking ahead. We hold onto the hope that soon he’ll be weaned off the medication, and that his immune system will recover enough to function on its own. This would also mean that his broviac catheter—something that has been with him since the beginning of his treatment—can finally be removed.
As a Charleston kid, there’s one thing Jeremiah is especially looking forward to: swimming. He hasn’t been able to enjoy something so simple, so joyful, since his diagnosis. For him, it’s not just about swimming—it’s about reclaiming a piece of his life that cancer has taken away. And we can’t wait for the day when he can dive back into the water, feeling free and whole again.
This year and a half has been one of the most emotionally taxing periods of our lives. We’ve had some truly beautiful moments—moments of joy, laughter, and progress—and we are beyond thankful for how far Jeremiah has come. But it’s been difficult too. Our family spent much of the year in isolation, keeping a safe distance from the outside world to protect Jeremiah’s health. It’s been hard on all of us, especially his siblings, who long for life to return to normal.
We were starting to feel that sense of normalcy again when Jeremiah was finally able to attend school and participate in church activities. It was a taste of what life could be like, and yet, the reality of hospital stays for illness reminded us that our journey wasn’t over. But despite the setbacks, we remain hopeful. We are excited for what the future holds, for the possibility of more freedom, more family moments, and, most of all, for Jeremiah to experience life as a teenager again—outside of hospital rooms and treatment schedules.
As a family, we’ve learned so much over the past year and a half—about strength, faith, and the power of resilience. We are grateful for every small victory, every step forward, and every moment we get to spend together. And while the road ahead is still uncertain, we are filled with hope, knowing that Jeremiah’s story is one of survival, love, and endless possibility.
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