DJ is now a thriving and rambunctious three year old. Most people we meet now would never know that our little guy battled brain cancer just a year ago. The battle scars that Dj carries are hidden away in messy hair and under his collection of Hulk t-shirts. The only outward sign that he has is left sided weakness, that are the effects of 2 invasive brain surgeries.
Even then DJ runs and plays with the best of them. DJ loves football, wrestling, Mickey & Minnie Mouse and the Avengers (uh-ben-jers in DJ language). He is challenged every day by his little brother, Jaxen, and his wonderful therapists. Using the things DJ loves his physical, occupational and speech therapist help him and us conquer the effects of surgery and treatment. You would never know that he had to relearn to walk, talk, eat and play catch.
DJ has a personality that is unmatched. At lease 3 times a day he has a dance session with whomever is in the room. You will know because you can hear him screaming, "shake your booty" or "hey DJ pump this party!" The sight is something I as a mom will always treasure. DJ, Jaxen and usually daddy will be busy getting down to whatever song is on.
The strength and resilience of these children is undeniable. DJ went through the heartbreaking treatment that involved 3 rounds of chemo in Austin and 3 rounds of high dose chemo with stem cell rescue in San Antonio. Although his body was ripped down to an inch of his life he still fought every day for that ounce of strength to play. Play almost always required wrestlers inside a fort made of hospital sheets that no nurses could enter.
DJ completed his treatment in December of 2011. Since then he has gone for MRI's every 3 months to ensure that he is cancer free. Praise the Lord that the results always come back clean.
The heartbreaking fact that childhood cancer is so underfunded due to the fact of it not being profitable for these drug makers is unnerving. Thank you for choosing to fill in that gap so our children do have a chance.
We are so proud to share DJ's story and we are so grateful to be on the winning side of this nasty disease.
