Help Hulk Smash Leukemia

Friday, April 15th, Bode started experiencing some unusual symptoms. He has since been diagnosed with leukemia. Between medical expenses, childcare for the other kids, gas to get to Arnold Palmer, meals on the go, etc, the Wyatt family will definitely need our support. No amount is too small.

Jamey has also mentioned that restaurant  gift cards would be helpful since they are commuting to Arnold Palmer for treatment. The following restaurants are all within 2 miles of the hospital: Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, Dunkin’, Einstein Bros, Firehouse Subs, Panera, Tijuana Flats, Boston Market. I know they appreciate it so much during this difficult time.

I’m including an update on Bode’s condition and diagnoses from Rob:

Waking up Friday morning, the last thing we expected was to start a new life-long adventure.

Bode woke up Friday morning with petechiae (bursted capillaries) surrounding both of his eyes. Jackson noticed while they were getting ready for school and sent him to our room. After a trip to the pediatrician and some concerning blood results they sent us to the ER at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital to get some additional tests run. After a few hours and unending nerves, the results came back that Bode had Leukemia, ultimately T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) which makes up about 15% of all ALL cases. We were admitted to the hospital and immediately began the process of curing Bode.

Since Friday, Bode has had 2 red blood transfusion and 3-4 platelet infusions along with a bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap, chest port install and received his first chemo treatment into his spinal fluid. His normal Chemo treatments will start today and will be administered every 7 days for about 9 months with regular maintenance continuing for a total of about 2.5 years.

The hardest part of all of this is that Bode seemed healthy. He was active and full of energy and acting like his normal self. The only sign of anything wrong was that was easily bruising and couldn’t account for some bruises that he probably should have been able to account for. Outside of that everything seemed normal and has continued even up until today. He is just having fun, enjoying all of the attention from both Mom & Dad and enjoying the endless conveyor belt of gifts that seem to be coming his way. Meanwhile Jamey and I are worried, scared, numb, and shaken. Eventually his joy may dissipate as his treatments begin to effect him, but that is where we will have to put aside that fear and restore his joy each and every day.

Please pray for Bode and his complete healing (physically, mentally, emotionally). Please pray for Jackson, Max, & Zeke as they learn to adjust to the new chaos. Please pray for the Doctors and Nurses that work with us and arm Bode to fight this battle. Please pray for Jamey and I as we learn to navigate weekly hospital visits, treatments and every twist and turn this terrible cancer throws our way.

As hard as it is to say in the midst of the struggle, God has delivered us before and we believe he will deliver us again. 7 years ago during Bode’s delivery, Jamey was rushed from the comfort of her delivery room to the OR and they were not confident that they were going to be able to save Bode or Jamey. God delivered! We pray now for continued miracles and deliverance across our family.