#JEREMIAHFOUGHTADINOSAUR

GOAL MET!

Jeremiah is a 4-year-old from North Chesterfield, VA and we’re on a mission to raise $10,000 to
send Jeremiah and his family on a
dream trip to California
where they can make amazing memories together OUTSIDE of the hospital!

Prior to diagnosis, Jeremiah was the typical 3-year-old boy. He was full of life, and energy and adored his family. On a typical day, he enjoyed playing outside, "house" with his sister, and snuggling with Mom and Dad watching movies. Jeremiah had blood in his urine, and we were referred to the nephrology specialist. Prior to walking into the specialist office, the physician requested that an ultrasound be completed. While Jeremiah was having his ultrasound, I was holding him watching the screen. I have been a nurse since 2014, and I immediately saw the mass on the ultrasound screen. I was in complete disbelief and was hoping that my eyes were deceiving me. When the physician came in and confirmed my worst fear, I was still in denial. That day will be forever imprinted in my memory. Walking through the doors of oncology, expecting the absolute worse. We are still in disbelief that this is happening to our family.

Since diagnosis, Jeremiah continued with his "full of life" personality. Our older children went and lived with Grandparents, so we could focus all of our time and energy on Jeremiah's treatment plan. I cried daily knowing that I could not be there for my older children, and still needed to show the little bit of strength I had. For nine months our home was broken, and we became homeless. Our house was put on the market the day before diagnosis, and we received an offer that we could not turn down. For a month we lived out of a hotel, and unfortunately not the best hotel at that.

During the time of treatment, Jeremiah missed out on life as a normal 3-year-old boy. His fourth birthday quickly approached, and Jeremiah required surgery on his lung on his birthday. It was as if our family just could not get a break. For 9 months we continued working as best as we could, and our sole responsibility continued to be Jeremiah and his aggressive treatment. Weekly chemotherapy sessions, countless nights staying up and managing fevers, and cleaning obsessively. Our beach-loving traveling family was not only split up but we were also isolated in our home.

Jeremiah's dream is to take a big trip with his family! This transition into life after treatment has been much more difficult than expected. Family roles have to be re-established as well as the trusting relationships within the family. Jeremiah has become very jealous of his siblings now getting attention, and we have started to see psychology again to learn about re-establishing healthy relationships. His biggest dream is to travel to fun places, with his family, and have no worries in the world.

- Alycia Caldwell