Most people can’t pinpoint the exact moment their lives change forever. For me, that moment is carved into my memory with painful clarity… November 3rd, 2021, at 9:13 pm. It was the night everything we knew, every hope, every assumption about the future, shifted. The night we learned our son, Keigen, was facing leukemia.
The evening was tranquil, the ordinary humdrum of household noises lulling me into a sense of normalcy when the phone rang – and everything changed. Expecting nothing more than a routine update, I let the unfamiliar number go to voicemail. But as soon as I heard the pediatrician’s voice, laden with an unusual gravity, a deep dread settled in. Within moments, I was thrust into a nightmare, scribbling frantic notes as he spoke the unimaginable: “I’m 99% sure it’s a form of Leukemia.” My world shattered in an instant, the weight of those words collapsing onto my shoulders as I sank to my knees. The days that followed were a blur of tests, procedures, medications, and the ceaseless echo of my questions and fears. Yet through this daunting journey, an unexpected strength emerged – the collective support of friends, neighbors, and even strangers, who became the lifeline that buoyed us through each harrowing step. This ordeal has taught me profound lessons about resilience, community, and the boundless power of the human spirit.
The sun had set on what seemed like an ordinary evening, but a phone call changed everything. My child’s cancer diagnosis shattered the illusion of normalcy and plunged us into a whirlwind of fear, hospital visits, and unexpected strength. Through the darkest times, our community became our support system, teaching us about resilience and the importance of cherishing every moment. To all mothers facing similar battles, you are not alone; together, we can find strength and embrace the journey ahead.