Diagnosis:

ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Hobbies:

Trains, Hot Wheels, Playing outside, iPad, swimming

Share Lukas's Story

warrior  Lukas

One year since we went to our pediatrician’s office for the red spots on his neck.
One year since we were sent to get blood work done.
One year since we were rushed off to Lutheran General to get more extensive testing done.
One year since we first heard the words “there is something wrong with his blood work.”
One year since we met an Oncologist.
One year since we heard “CANCER”.
One year since “acute lymphoblastic leukemia” became a common household phrase.
One year ago, today our seemingly perfectly healthy 20-month-old Lukas was diagnosed with cancer.

​It’s been one year since our entire world fell apart.
1 year.
12 months.
52 weeks.
365 days.
8765 Hours.
525,600 Minutes.
31,536,000 Seconds.

March 19th – Our official “cancerversary”
Dr. Agrawal, placing her hand on my knee, said, “I am so sorry, it looks like Lukas has leukemia, its cancer.” Words that I will NEVER forget. The moment our life changed forever. That one sentence changed the trajectory of our whole life.

Throughout the last 365 days, Lukas has endured:
− 59 IV chemo doses
− 191 oral chemo doses
− 52 steroid doses
− 42 doctor visits
− 36 needle pokes
− 14 procedures under sedation
− 3 hospital stays
− 5 ER visits
− 5 blood transfusions
− 3 platelet transfusions
− 4 X-rays
− 1 surgery for port placement
- 1 broken foot
− Countless antibiotic doses

This was the start of Lukas’ story!

There are really no words to describe the feeling of those first few days, weeks and months. Anger, sadness, shock, disbelief, grief, fear, and denial are among many of the feelings that consumed me, and I still feel them today at different points of time. I don’t think those feelings will truly every leave me, but they do subside after time. We were overwhelmed by the news and all the information we received. Overwhelmed at the thoughts of our new normal. Overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from our family, friends, and community.

One year ago today was absolutely soul-crushing, but I want to reflect on this year the way Lukas has faced it — with bravery, courage, and strength! He has smiled and laughed each and every day! That smile has never left his face, even on the rough days. That smile of his, lights up his whole face and fills your heart with love, hope, and joy. We are strong and brave for him because he has been strong and brave for us. He has truthfully shown us what it takes to be a fighter! In honor of his amazing, fighting, happy essence, I would like to focus on the blessings this diagnosis has brought us.

We want to thank everyone this last year for all that you have done for us. From the calls and texts to the gifts, meals, and everything in between, we couldn’t have done it without all of your support! Whether you are a friend, family member, or stranger – if you have said a prayer, shared a post, donated, or just read about and kept up with Lukas and his progress, we are eternally grateful.

One year in and there are more words that are added to my list that I would rather focus on: Gratitude, Love, Happiness, Strength and Hope!