Hi friends! Second blog post coming at ya! Today I am writing about Myles Peterson, another friend from Geneseo, IL. Myles was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma in July of 2018, at 5 years old. Myles is a carefree, goofy little boy, who was completely healthy prior to diagnosis. He started having hip pain and severe back pain, that prevented him from walking. His parents took him to the local ER, where he had multiple tests and x-rays done. They couldn't really find anything, so they sent the family home. He continued to have these pains, so Myles' parents took him to The Children's Hospital in Peoria, where more tests were ran. About a week later, they were told Myles had cancer. He immediately started treatment, which would be about 15-18 months. His treatment consists of 5 rounds of chemo, surgery, 2 stem cell transplants, radiation, and 5-6 rounds of immunotherapy. They are traveling back and forth to Chicago as well for treatments.
Neuroblastoma accounts for 7 to 10 percent of childhood cancers.
Each year, 800 new cases are diagnosed in the United States.
Neuroblastoma accounts for 50 percent of all cancers in infants, making it the most common tumor in infants younger than 1 year.
Most children with neuroblastoma are diagnosed before age 5.
The number of cases of neuroblastoma is about the same worldwide, so environmental factors do not seem to play a role.
Neuroblastoma develops from nerve cells in the fetus called neuroblasts. Usually, as a fetus matures and after birth, the neuroblasts develop normally. Sometimes they become cancerous, causing neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma can be inherited (passed down in families). Neuroblastoma tumors generally develop in the adrenal glands (located on top of the kidneys), where neuroblasts are most commonly found. But neuroblastoma can also begin in or spread to other areas including the chest, the spine or spinal cord regions and the abdomen. (www.stjude.org/disease/neuroblastoma.html)
Knowing the facts about childhood cancer is SO important. There are so many different types of cancers and they all are treated differently. Treatments that work for one type of cancer, may not work for another type. The causes of cancer are so unknown and not well researched.
Myles has received one of our BFF bags! His mom told me he loved it! I love bringing a small glimmer of hope for these families, but more importantly sharing their story. Thank you for taking the time to read about Myles, and get a small understanding of his cancer and the treatment he will be enduring.
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