I can’t start to write about my life and Caleb’s story without sharing with you how my children are the reason for my existence. Most moms will say the same thing but take it from me, when I say it, it means something different than most. You see my first child, Caleb, was a healthy, happy and precious little boy who enjoyed life to the fullest in each and every thing that he did. It is not fair that I am sitting here about to write the next segment like a chapter of a short story, instead of a 1000 page novel….no one should be in my shoes.
I will never forget….August 10th, 2007… my life changed forever. I was told the words no mother should ever have to hear “Your son has Leukemia.” My heart sank as I held my 2 month old daughter tightly to my chest with tears flowing down my cheeks, as I looked at my 3-year -old son with a IV in his arm, looking pale and thin. I still, to this day wonder what went through his head as he saw his parents crying and asking why?. Caleb’s chances at life were slim. We found out he had a rare form of Leukemia and our only option was a Bone Marrow Transplant at Duke University. After 7 months the treatment had failed him and Caleb passed away 11 days after his 4th Birthday, which is unacceptable by any standard. This is the transition where one fight ended and the other began.
My husband Rob and I started Caleb’s Crusade Against Childhood Cancer to help other families who were going through the same challenges we went through and to have a Legacy for our son Caleb. For 7 months we saw Caleb fight for his life and we stood by him every step of the way fighting with him. When Caleb took his last breath the fight didn’t end. Rob and I took charge and without even a conversation we decided to wage our own war against the very thing that took Caleb away from us and continues to do so to other children. We vowed that day to never give up, we decided we were going to fight the fight Caleb no longer could.
Isabella, our daughter, is now 6-years-old and she is a healthy energetic little girl. Bella doesn’t remember her brother as she was only 9 months old when he passed away. We like to say that Caleb got a chance to meet his little sister that he wanted so very much. Rob and I make sure to tell her stories and let her know her brother loved her more than anything else. Our hope is that one day in Bella’s lifetime there will be no more fight and we all can take credit for a future without Childhood Cancer. If that doesn’t happen, we know Bella will continue the fight and lead her generation into finding a cure.
To make a long story short… I am a mother with a daughter who needs me today and a son in heaven who is waiting for me.
