An introduction first. We are a family of 5. Paul (dad), Amy (mom), Henry (15), Addie (13) and Oz (12). We lived in NYC for over 10 years and all our children were born there. We eventually moved back to Minnesota where we both grew up.

Our story is actually 2 parts that came together at an unbelievable time. Because of unexplained health issues we decided to get our home tested for mold. We were not prepared for the severity of the results. It was not only at dangerous levels in our kitchen but also in bedrooms and other areas. Mold remediation is astronomically expensive and financially paying for professional remediation as well as a home remodel was not possible. So we figured out a plan to do as much as we could ourselves and pay for professionals where it was needed. It would take several months but little by little we could get the problem fixed.

At this time Henry, our oldest, complained of arm pain. We thought it was an athletic injury. After many appointments and many scans later, his doctors could no longer rule out the possibility of cancer. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed our fears that it was Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It felt like our hearts were ripped out. Henry did not “‘present” like many people with leukemia and by all measures was a healthy active teenager. It will never make sense. There is no time to even process news like this as he needed to start chemotherapy right away. His oncologist let us go home for the night only because he was otherwise healthy. 99% of people are immediately hospitalized.

Our whole world changed. But it was the realization that our home was not safe for Henry that brought a level of helplessness I cannot describe. Henry could not live in our home safely if we didn’t get the mold taken care of fast. This was probably our lowest point. Financial decisions were ignored and the priority was fixing our home. This started in September and is still ongoing. We are finally putting things together instead of taking them apart. After living with friends and family we have been able to move back into our home. In between tearing out walls, redoing a kitchen, painting etc.. We have also been taking trips to the hospital for chemotherapy. We spent over a week during Thanksgiving in the hospital because of an infection. All the while trying to get Henry's Sister and Brother back and forth to school and activities so they can have a “normal” childhood as well. I say this because it isn’t possible to do this on our own. We haven’t done it ourselves. We aren’t handling it well and we don’t feel like amazing parents, full of strength. We have surprised ourselves at what we can handle but we have leaned on our friends, family and community, and they have stepped up more than we could ever ask or repay. There have been donations of money and time and everything in between.

We are overwhelmed in gratitude.

Henry has faced his share of challenges already. He was diagnosed with dyslexia and also has Celiac disease. He gets sick if he eats wheat, and school is a challenge. But he has never once complained. Seriously..never. Not when he cannot have pizza at parties, and not when his school would not provide the support he needed for learning, so we had to transfer him for 3 years to another one.

Henry is simply a kind soul. He has a gentle nature about him. He has a welcoming smile, and he thinks of others to a fault. He is on the Alpine Ski team, the Mountain biking team and plays baseball. He thinks he is invincible like every other 15 year old boy and I hope to not shatter that illusion. He loves the outdoors and camping. Forgive a parent for bragging, but this is a story from another parent. Her son was shy and having a tough time with friends. But he would tell her about the Henry in his science class who talked with him. There was also the Henry during lunch who invited him to sit at the table. And another Henry who was a friendly face. When she heard “Henry” had leukemia she asked her son which Henry it was. He explained there was only one. It was the same Henry who did all those things. She was kind to pass this along and we are proud of the person he is becoming.

We are also sad and scared at the burden Henry and our family have to carry. But the support is sustaining us, and getting us through hard days. How do we say “Thank You” to people who have given so much? Only we don’t want or wish we needed any of it. It is a reminder of the necessity and reality of our challenge. Once again we are being supported by friends near and far.

I was fortunate to have been Rogers’ sister Noreen Mccormack’s nurse at Sloan-Kettering during her own fight with leukemia. And her caring and wonderful family has been a memory I carry. You learn so much from the patients you care for and Noreen and her family taught me what a privilege it is to care for people at the hardest times and the importance of family. They treated me just like a family member. It is an honor for our family to have Roger’s family reach out to us in our time of need and we are so grateful for their thoughts, prayers, and support.