#AidenStrong
Donation protected
This year’s SpasPushingLimits pre-ISPA hike is dedicated to our industry friend Sarah Huddleson, Spa Director at Royal Palms Resort & Spa, and her 2 1/2 year old son Aiden.
Earlier this Summer, Aiden was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and has since been in and out of the hospital fighting for his life like a champion.
The Huddleson family is blessed with many supportive friends and family members, however, weekly medical bills are now their new reality. Which is why SpasPushingLimits is choosing to support Sarah, hoping that we can make their lives a little easier while they go through this tough time.
So for the pre-ISPA hike in the Red Rocks on Tuesday September 10, there will be a ‘registration’ fee. We ask everyone who participate in the hike to donate a minimum of $50 to support the Huddleson family - registration/donations should be made to this GoFundMe page. Please note: If you can’t make the hike, but would still like to support, please donate here as well! Thank you in advance for everyone’s support, be sure to read Sarah story below:
“At the end of May, we were running after our 2 ½ year old, Aiden, at the zoo, train park, indoor mega trampoline park, aquarium, and butterfly wonderland, and of course watching him play with endless cars, trains, monster trucks, and throwing any and all sports balls he could get his hands on! We were telling him to “slow down” and “be careful” as he was chasing after his older brother, Jackson, in between jumping on and off the couch, and doing “super jumps” on our indoor mini trampoline…our normal “crazy town” at the O’Farrell house. We had just started swim lessons, ready for our Summer vacation plans at the beach, and looking forward to preschool in the Fall. Oh, and constantly pointing out the color green, Aiden’s favorite, because of his love of The Hulk.
It was normal for Aiden to have some bruises on his shins due to his level of consistent activity. However, the first week of June, my husband, John and I started to notice more, different, looking bruises, in odd places for bruises. Like any Mom, I immediately scheduled an appointment with our pediatrician, and while we were there, his pediatrician ordered blood work, as a precaution. Aiden sat and watched the blood being taken from his arm like a champ, and we joked that he definitely didn’t get his weak stomach from his Mom who has all kinds of uneasiness and light headedness with anything medical related, including bloodwork. Later that evening after being at the pediatrician earlier that day, we noticed another bruise, on his stomach, and felt bumps underneath the skin. Now, I panicked, and began feverishly googling what it could be to give myself a diagnosis, but came up empty handed because the only symptom was bruising.
The next morning, June 8th, my stomach was turning, still unsettled of what I had googled, what it could be...blood disorder, or something worse. So, I turned to my husband, and said, “I’m taking Aiden to the ER”. And at that exact moment, my cell phone rang, it was Aiden’s pediatrician, telling me to get to Phoenix Children’s Hospital ER right away, as his white blood cell count was at 80,000. After hours of tests at Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH), my worst fear became a reality, as Aiden was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and was on a high risk protocol due to his white blood cells being over 50,000 at admission.
We were immediately admitted to PCH and told that Aiden would have surgery the next day to have his port placed to then begin chemotherapy. In less than 48 hours, we were overwhelmed with emotion, and knew our lives were now changed forever.
On June 9, his port placement was successful, as well as, his bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture. The results from the lumbar puncture determined that he was CNS2, due to a cancer cell found in his spinal fluid. CNS2 at diagnosis means that the treatment plan needed to be more aggressive to target the central nervous system. During the next 8 days, Aiden underwent multiple lumbar punctures, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and other procedures.
We tried (unsuccessfully) to hide his oral medications in all types of food, but he was too smart to eat it, therefore, he had to get an NG tube placed for feeding, weight loss, and to administer all sorts of medications. At the hospital, Aiden enjoyed visiting the playroom and riding on the dinosaur car, while his brother, Jackson, chased him in the halls. We were discharged on June 16th, which was the best Father’s Day gift. We were elated to be home, and Aiden was in great spirits, and believe it or not, back to jumping on and off the couch and chasing around big brother, Jackson.
However, that following Tuesday, June 18th, we returned to PCH for another lumbar puncture. All went well, but when returning home, Aiden became lethargic, was sleeping a lot, and didn’t want to move or eat. When we went back to PCH on Friday June 21st (Friday’s are his normal clinic days for bloodwork, possible transfusions, lumbar punctures, and chemotherapy), he remained unchanged. Saturday June 22nd, he developed a fever, so we returned to PCH and were admitted. They found that Aiden had developed a central line infection in his port. He was placed in isolation with bone marrow transplant patients. He suffered from high fevers and diarrhea, which was later determined Ecoli. With his white blood cells counts at zero, he was considered neutropenic and was extremely susceptible to catching anything. During the next 12 days, Aiden was bedridden because of his constant fevers and was not allowed to leave his hospital room. During the last two days of his stay, he was back to his silly, smiley self. However, when we returned home, he could not walk or stand without crying in pain because of being bedridden and his muscles being deconditioned. We were heartbroken again, but thankfully due to some motivation from his family, he began standing and taking steps on his own, and we now have regular physical therapy three times a week, to get Aiden back to his active self.
As of July 5th, Aiden has finished the induction phase of treatment (29 days). We started the consolidation phase as of July 19, and if all goes well that will last 2 months. His total treatment plan will be 3 ½ years.
Aiden has been just like The Hulk through it all. From starting out being very anxious, nervous, and shy, to slowly adjusting to his weekly clinic visits for chemotherapy, getting his vitals taken, and his blood and platelet transfusions. He still does not like getting his port dressing changed, but who would! He thinks physical therapy is fun! Needless to say, Aiden has taught us to live in the present and focus on each day as its own, new day. Aiden’s beautiful spirit, happiness, silliness, and strong-willed character fills our hearts with joy every single day.
Medically, we have an amazing team and are in the best hands at PCH. We have received countless calls, texts, emails, and genuine acts of kindness from our friends, family, and colleagues – we cannot thank you enough! That being said, financially, we are expecting many out of pocket expenses, including co-pays, medications, etc. to amount quickly and to remain steady over the next 3 ½ years.
We remain strong and optimistic that Aiden will make a full recovery, and are extremely grateful for all of the love, prayers, and support we have received from so many of you. Words cannot express our gratitude”.
Much Love,
Sara, John, Jackson and Aiden
Earlier this Summer, Aiden was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and has since been in and out of the hospital fighting for his life like a champion.
The Huddleson family is blessed with many supportive friends and family members, however, weekly medical bills are now their new reality. Which is why SpasPushingLimits is choosing to support Sarah, hoping that we can make their lives a little easier while they go through this tough time.
So for the pre-ISPA hike in the Red Rocks on Tuesday September 10, there will be a ‘registration’ fee. We ask everyone who participate in the hike to donate a minimum of $50 to support the Huddleson family - registration/donations should be made to this GoFundMe page. Please note: If you can’t make the hike, but would still like to support, please donate here as well! Thank you in advance for everyone’s support, be sure to read Sarah story below:
“At the end of May, we were running after our 2 ½ year old, Aiden, at the zoo, train park, indoor mega trampoline park, aquarium, and butterfly wonderland, and of course watching him play with endless cars, trains, monster trucks, and throwing any and all sports balls he could get his hands on! We were telling him to “slow down” and “be careful” as he was chasing after his older brother, Jackson, in between jumping on and off the couch, and doing “super jumps” on our indoor mini trampoline…our normal “crazy town” at the O’Farrell house. We had just started swim lessons, ready for our Summer vacation plans at the beach, and looking forward to preschool in the Fall. Oh, and constantly pointing out the color green, Aiden’s favorite, because of his love of The Hulk.
It was normal for Aiden to have some bruises on his shins due to his level of consistent activity. However, the first week of June, my husband, John and I started to notice more, different, looking bruises, in odd places for bruises. Like any Mom, I immediately scheduled an appointment with our pediatrician, and while we were there, his pediatrician ordered blood work, as a precaution. Aiden sat and watched the blood being taken from his arm like a champ, and we joked that he definitely didn’t get his weak stomach from his Mom who has all kinds of uneasiness and light headedness with anything medical related, including bloodwork. Later that evening after being at the pediatrician earlier that day, we noticed another bruise, on his stomach, and felt bumps underneath the skin. Now, I panicked, and began feverishly googling what it could be to give myself a diagnosis, but came up empty handed because the only symptom was bruising.
The next morning, June 8th, my stomach was turning, still unsettled of what I had googled, what it could be...blood disorder, or something worse. So, I turned to my husband, and said, “I’m taking Aiden to the ER”. And at that exact moment, my cell phone rang, it was Aiden’s pediatrician, telling me to get to Phoenix Children’s Hospital ER right away, as his white blood cell count was at 80,000. After hours of tests at Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH), my worst fear became a reality, as Aiden was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and was on a high risk protocol due to his white blood cells being over 50,000 at admission.
We were immediately admitted to PCH and told that Aiden would have surgery the next day to have his port placed to then begin chemotherapy. In less than 48 hours, we were overwhelmed with emotion, and knew our lives were now changed forever.
On June 9, his port placement was successful, as well as, his bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture. The results from the lumbar puncture determined that he was CNS2, due to a cancer cell found in his spinal fluid. CNS2 at diagnosis means that the treatment plan needed to be more aggressive to target the central nervous system. During the next 8 days, Aiden underwent multiple lumbar punctures, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and other procedures.
We tried (unsuccessfully) to hide his oral medications in all types of food, but he was too smart to eat it, therefore, he had to get an NG tube placed for feeding, weight loss, and to administer all sorts of medications. At the hospital, Aiden enjoyed visiting the playroom and riding on the dinosaur car, while his brother, Jackson, chased him in the halls. We were discharged on June 16th, which was the best Father’s Day gift. We were elated to be home, and Aiden was in great spirits, and believe it or not, back to jumping on and off the couch and chasing around big brother, Jackson.
However, that following Tuesday, June 18th, we returned to PCH for another lumbar puncture. All went well, but when returning home, Aiden became lethargic, was sleeping a lot, and didn’t want to move or eat. When we went back to PCH on Friday June 21st (Friday’s are his normal clinic days for bloodwork, possible transfusions, lumbar punctures, and chemotherapy), he remained unchanged. Saturday June 22nd, he developed a fever, so we returned to PCH and were admitted. They found that Aiden had developed a central line infection in his port. He was placed in isolation with bone marrow transplant patients. He suffered from high fevers and diarrhea, which was later determined Ecoli. With his white blood cells counts at zero, he was considered neutropenic and was extremely susceptible to catching anything. During the next 12 days, Aiden was bedridden because of his constant fevers and was not allowed to leave his hospital room. During the last two days of his stay, he was back to his silly, smiley self. However, when we returned home, he could not walk or stand without crying in pain because of being bedridden and his muscles being deconditioned. We were heartbroken again, but thankfully due to some motivation from his family, he began standing and taking steps on his own, and we now have regular physical therapy three times a week, to get Aiden back to his active self.
As of July 5th, Aiden has finished the induction phase of treatment (29 days). We started the consolidation phase as of July 19, and if all goes well that will last 2 months. His total treatment plan will be 3 ½ years.
Aiden has been just like The Hulk through it all. From starting out being very anxious, nervous, and shy, to slowly adjusting to his weekly clinic visits for chemotherapy, getting his vitals taken, and his blood and platelet transfusions. He still does not like getting his port dressing changed, but who would! He thinks physical therapy is fun! Needless to say, Aiden has taught us to live in the present and focus on each day as its own, new day. Aiden’s beautiful spirit, happiness, silliness, and strong-willed character fills our hearts with joy every single day.
Medically, we have an amazing team and are in the best hands at PCH. We have received countless calls, texts, emails, and genuine acts of kindness from our friends, family, and colleagues – we cannot thank you enough! That being said, financially, we are expecting many out of pocket expenses, including co-pays, medications, etc. to amount quickly and to remain steady over the next 3 ½ years.
We remain strong and optimistic that Aiden will make a full recovery, and are extremely grateful for all of the love, prayers, and support we have received from so many of you. Words cannot express our gratitude”.
Much Love,
Sara, John, Jackson and Aiden
Organizer and beneficiary
Monica Helmstetter
Organizer
Mt. Pleasant, SC
Sara Huddleson
Beneficiary