Curing Colby

Hi, my name is Miranda and I started this account for my nephew Colby. Colby is a 7 year old spit fire who loves baseball, football, superheros, and family. What started as cold symptoms with a cough and runny nose quickly turned into something we could have never imagined. I will include part of the post from the Caring Bridge site as I want to make sure I cover all of the details.

"On Tuesday, January 31 Lisa contacted his provider again and they decided to do more blood work. About 7:30 pm that evening, we got a call at home from the provider with the results. He had a high white blood count, low red blood cell count, and low platelet count. The results were concerning so the providers suggested he go straight to Fargo that night for further testing. We arrived about 10:00 pm at the ER at Sanford in Fargo. They drew more blood work and we waited to speak with a pediatric hematologist (kid’s blood doctor). We were admitted at 2:00 am and they started an IV and drew even more blood work. We first met Dr Chihak and she explained to us that she was concerned Colby had leukemia. His lab work was all consistent with the diagnosis, but a bone marrow biopsy would need to be done to confirm. Colby was scheduled for the biopsy on Wednesday morning. Prior to the biopsy, we met Dr Milanovich. He would be the pediatric hematologist taking over for the rest of the week. He explained at length the diagnosis and potential treatment plans. Colby’s platelet count dropped again on Wednesday and he needed a platelet transfusion prior to having a surgical procedure the next day. Thursday morning we received the confirmed diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The treatment plan will consist of being in the hospital for about 4 weeks at a time for 4-6 cycles over the next several months. Thursday afternoon Colby was taken to surgery to place a Hickman catheter in his chest to prepare for receiving chemotherapy. While he was in surgery, they also did a spinal tap and he had a dose of chemo injected into his spinal fluid as well. While he was in surgery, they also did an MRI of his brain which was negative to rule out any tumors. Friday he received his first dose of chemotherapy which he tolerated well. He received his second dose of chemo on Sunday as well as his first blood transfusion. We will remain in the hospital because he is at a high risk for infection as his counts drop and start to recover after the chemo doses. Colby has been a trooper throughout this whole process. He continues to have great spirits and show his stubborn, feisty self at times. He keeps the nurses laughing and has gotten really good at pushing his call light when he wants to see them. He tells mom she is being dramatic sometimes when she is crying. He also has gotten used to being on a “leash”, as he calls it, when he is hooked up to the IV fluids."

Colby has a long and hard road in front of him. This will take his parents, Lisa and Tyler away from work for months, multiple trips back and forth to Fargo, and brother Zach back at home. I'm hoping to lessen the financial burden from their shoulders so their main focus can be on the boys, especially while trying to live out of a hospital.

If you feel able to do so, any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Please keep Colby, Zach, Lisa, and Tyler all in your prayers as they start this difficult journey.

Auntie Miranda