After a family trip to Florida in late January 2007, we all came down with a cold upon returning home. After a couple of weeks, we were all better, except for 3-year-old Daniel, who seemed to be getting worse. He was pale and lethargic, but had no other symptoms. Finally one weekend in February he seemed to get much worse very quickly. His heart was racing, his pallor got worse, and he barely moved. We took him to the pediatrician Monday morning, who thought he was anemic. She sent us for blood work to confirm, but the lab messed up the sample. She then sent us to the Hospital for Sick Children to do proper blood work, and we fully expected to be sent home with iron supplements and/or antibiotics for a possible infection. We were shocked to be told it was leukemia; we didn't leave the hospital for two weeks.

That was in February 2007, and when we were told the treatment protocol would last 3 years, it felt like that day would never come. But here we are, just a few months away from finishing treatment. Daniel has done superbly well, he is stronger than we ever could have imagined. Now in first grade, Daniel is an active and happy 6-year-old boy who has made this journey with courage and humor; he is a real hero.

Website: www.danielandhannah.blogspot.com

Written by Marlene Frotten, Daniel’s Mother
10/09