Meet IR, He’s just a normal kid, just a normal kid… with cancer. He plays with pirate toys, and plastic transformers just like any other kid, he laughs and jokes and fights with his siblings, like I said he’s just like any other kid, except that IR had cancer. He is only 4 years old but has endured a very long journey, after a diagnosis of a very rare but treatable form of cancer, IR began meeting with Doctors at one of the best cancer research and treatment centers, John Hopkins Children Hospital. IR and his mommy (and his family) just happen to be great friends of mine. I have photographed this handsome little boy before when he told me all about an amazing program beads of courage and then showed me all of his beads and told me the stories of how they became part of his collection, some were from doctor visits, others from blood draws, while a few bright red ones stood out when IR needed blood transfusions and spent some lengths of time hospitalized. I have come to really love this little boy, as does my 4 year old daughter who was once given a ride by IR in his power wheels which she talks about weekly. Through Is journey I have gotten to meet other amazing families who’s children also have cancer, and are fighting huge battles, the kind of battles that remind you not many things you thought were a huge deal that day are even worth mentioning at all.
I have come to respect IR’s mama for the journey she has been on as well, since our children are the same age I often find myself thinking about her and how she is doing though all of this watching her little boy fight for his life, and you know what I have learned through it,… that while she is an incredible mother, fighter, advocate, and praying woman… She is STRONG!
You could only imagine how excited I was when I was given the chance to come along with IR to his VERY LAST CHEMO treatment, perhaps you didn’t pick up on it when I typed it before but IR HAD cancer, which means he is getting stronger, and a true hero… and getting much closer to the end of his journey. I met his family on a rainy dreary day, rather depressing outside.. and upon entering the cancer clinic I was reminded of Hope, the smiles, the bright colors, the nurses laughter. The other families who were there also fighting a battle one I knew nothing about, a battle so strong one may feel like they could have lost all hope but instead, they were hopeful, and many very happy.
The nurses were inviting and very sweet, chatting with me about IR’s treatment and plan of care, telling me how amazing he and his family had done on this journey. Once one of the nurses found out that I had been a nurse before my daughter was born there was a great connection made and we were able to chat about units we worked on, and shifts we didn’t care for. The Physician who came to meet with I was incredible she joked with him and laughed, she was the type of physician you would want your small child to have if they were fighting cancer.
IR toured me around the halls of the clinic, told me about the nurses, and showed me an incredible playroom where we even were able to get in a game of candy-land, complete with a new set of rules I had never played by before. It was an incredible day full of a plethora of emotions and joy, and hope.. hope for the patients, the future, and for a tiny fighting boy!
