MILES FOR SMILES

Diagnosis: ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)

Age at Diagnosis: 3 years old (Treatment from Age 3 - 6 1/2 years old)

Current Age: 12 years old

 

Ethan's story, as told by his mother, Julie Rekant:

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Ethan was diagnosed on the very cold and blustery evening of March 1, 2009. Immediately after diagnosis at an outside hospital, we were transferred by ambulance to CHKD. It was a Sunday night and very late in evening. The first of many things I was very impressed with was our future oncologist was there on the unit waiting for Ethan‘s arrival. He was dressed in his regular clothing and had probably already begun to get ready for bed that night. But he was called in to assist Ethan and our family and there he was.  

 

As the next few days unfolded, we gained lots of information. The diagnosis and the information was quite a shock and overwhelming. However, again we were quite impressed with the support from the staff that surrounded us at the hospital. It became evident that his prognosis was favorable, but we learned we had a very very long road ahead of us.

 

As we started down that road his treatment became our new normal. Meeting the people who worked in the clinic, getting to know all the staff on the inpatient unit, and the additional specialty staff that did so much for us was amazingly helpful. We felt so supported on our journey as if our hands were being held as we were expertly guided through this nightmare. 

 

At CHKD, Ethan received current medical treatment. The same treatment regimen that is administered to children at big-name hospitals such as CHOP, Sloan Kettering, Duke and DC Children’s. As his treatment phases were completed, we were fortunate enough that we needed the hospital less. However each time we visited for appointments in the clinic we continued to feel loved and supported. Even now many years after his treatment has finished, he is still seen yearly and treated with extreme kindness and love. The staff at CHKD is incredible and truly changed our lives through this horrific experience. 

 

I credit a combination of things for Ethan’s current great health, but mostly the state of the art children’s hospital that treated him right here at home.