This all began with a wisdom tooth. Isaiah had some oral surgery and he was just completely unable to recover. He had a fever and swelling even while on antibiotics which prompted an emergency visit. The staff unfortunately failed to run a blood panel. He was sent home with more antibiotics. His health continued to decline. Eventually I convinced him to go back to the emergency room. From the moment we walked through the door it was immediately apparent that this was something very serious and it had nothing to do with the oral surgery. Those first days he received lots of medicines and lots of blood and platelets. They told us they believed he may have a serious form of anemia or leukemia and needed a bone marrow biopsy to confirm. They did the procedure and our worst fears were confirmed. He had acute myeloid leukemia. Acute in this situation means highly aggressive. He was transferred from Mercy Gilbert to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and almost immediately began chemotherapy. It’s been a whirlwind ever since. Isaiah treats and recovers inpatient at PCH; it is difficult but nevertheless necessary in order to save his life. On Monday he will be readmitted to PCH and he will begin his 3rd cycle of chemo in preparation for his BMT.

About Isaiah
Isaiah is very close with family and his group of friends. He’s sweet, funny, and has a truly beautiful mind. He is unique in how he sees the world and in the many talents he has been blessed with. Isaiah plays guitar beautifully, has created a lot of strange art over the years using a variety of mediums, he’s well read (collects antique books) and has the incredible ability to recall facts and information regarding a variety of topics but most specifically facts about animals. He is truly a wonderful person and I pray that you will join us in our efforts to help rally around Isaiah through this diagnosis, treatment and Bone Marrow Transplant. Thank you so much for your consideration and taking the time to read this. It means the world to us.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.