For our family, March will always be the month of Dane's cancer diagnosis and the start of his fight.
On March 27, 2018 Dane was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma. The next 48 hours were a blur of tests and teams of doctors. The CT scan confirmed a cantaloupe sized (10cm) tumor on Dane's liver. Because the tumor hadn’t spread and it was localized to the right lobe of the liver - he was a candidate for a resection.
After many, many wagon rides around the Duke Children’s Hospital oncology unit - Dane’s Dad, who is in the Air Force, made it home from his deployment in time for his surgery. The amazing surgical team was successful in removing the entire tumor with clear margins, along with his gallbladder, and 60% of his liver.
The days following his surgery were incredibly hard. For five days our typically happy, smiling boy did not smile. But, then the next day - Dane was sitting up, smiling, and even attempting to take a few steps. DANE STRONG.
There was a slight chance Dane wouldn’t need chemo - depending on his pathology results. However, he ended up needing two rounds (6 weeks total) of chemotherapy. This time was filled with 2-3 day hospital stays, little to no sleep, long clinic days of outpatient chemo, anticipation if Dane met counts, neutropenia, limited visitors and staying home or outside to avoid germs.
On June 19, 2018 Dane finished treatment and was declared cancer free!
Dane spent the year and half after treatment in speech and feeding therapy and used a gtube for nutrition. He still works hard with eating and gaining weight. He is and will always be DANE STRONG.
Throughout this experience, Dane’s had an amazing support system praying for him, as well as the very best doctors, child life teams, and organizations by his side. We are incredibly humbled, blessed, and thankful to have our little boy healthy today.
Our hearts are with all the superheroes and their families fighting their fight. Thank you for your support - it means more than you may realize!
