Support Salem's Battle Against Stage 4 Tumor Cancer

We took our sweet Salem into his pediatrician for a repeat check on an ear infection, we thought didn’t go away to find out his oxygen was at 88 and dropping. They immediately sent us to the emergency room, we were told he had pneumonia and an enlarged heart. They sent us by ambulance to children’s of Birmingham for a cardiologist exam…upon entering the ER they did a cat scan, X-ray that showed it was not either of those things unfortunately we got the news no parent could ever be prepared for….Cancer. A massive tumor constricting his airway, they since have found many little tumors inside of his lungs along with blood clots. We are still unsure on so many things, and waiting for a lot of results to come back but with the holidays it is taken longer than we imagined. We are currently in the pediatric ICU waiting for his biopsy results and more blood work. We will update as we go.

My husband is getting to take 12 weeks of family medical leave but it is unpaid, as well as they will be sending a bill to keep our blue cross blue shield going.

We do have a three year and 4 month old as well as being two hours away from home, it is a lot and all very sudden. Nothing in this world could have ever prepared us for this moment, childhood cancer especially at this age is so rare. We truly need all the help and prayers we could get.

Any amount would mean the world to us but most of all we need prayers specifically over his airway, lungs, neck, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory, biopsy results, his skull/head, spine.

He is honestly the strongest little man ever. He is only one year old and taking every single battle we have faced so far like an absolute champ, not one single cry through his biopsy (while awake!), feeding tube placement, X-rays, Cat scans, ultrasounds, steriods and blood pressure shots….God is so good!!!!

Even tho he is uncomfortable a lot of the time he has still been high fiving everyone, little smiles, a tiny dance, watching tv, he just started eating and drinking again, saying little words here and there. He is showing us many signs of improvement Glory to God.

We appreciate all of the prayers throughout the last couple of days, as well as all the help we have received from family and friends. Thank you guys beyond.

#SalemStrong