Alexzander Jeune

Alex had been having trouble with his asthma getting worse last year and after several medication changes it didn’t seem to help much. His Asthma/Allergy doctor decided to get some lab work on November 11th, and we got the results back later that week out and found that he was anemic. He saw his primary physician on November 21st to repeat lab work and still showed that he was anemic. He was started on iron supplements twice a day and was waiting to repeat labs with iron studies to be done in January.

In December he began has GI problems that looked like it could be a GI Bleed. Due to him being on iron supplements twice a day I took him to his pediatrician to confirm a GI Bleed vs the Iron Supplements causing it. He had an 11 pound weight loss since Aug 29th and they confirmed he had a GI Bleed.

Alex was admitted to Levine’s Children’s Hospital that night. After talking with his GI Doctor, they felt certain a GI issue, like Crohn’s was present. After a Colonoscopy and EGD that following Monday there was nothing found other than some inflammation. They went ahead and took some biopsies and found that he had H Pylori (bacterial infection in his GI tract) and candida auris (a yeast infection in his esophagus). The GI doctor ordered a Abdomen CT the following day to get him ready for a Capsule Endoscopy that they had scheduled for Wednesday and they found the Cancer in his abdomen.

Our Oncology team diagnosed him with Lymphoma on Dec 18th. He had a Lymph Node Biopsy done on Dec 20th. He had a ECHO done on Dec 22 and the next day he had a PET scan, Port placed and a Bone Marrow Biopsy done. We also found out that day (Dec 23rd) that he had Hodgkins.

The Oncology team talked with us about the different treatment options and with the guidance of his medical team we chose to enter a Medication Trial for his treatments. The trail consisted of medications that had been used for years with a mix of a newer medicine that were showing good outcomes with lesser side effects.

Even with everything he has gone through he has been able to maintain his A average in school and even started the spring Baseball season as a manager for the team. He was able to get some exercise and participated in some practices until the season was postponed due to COVID. He has been able to gain his weight back and maintain it. Alex has remained happy and positive through his journey. He has shown us strength, determination and his drive to live his life regardless of what obstacles are put in his way.

Our social worker connect us with Claire Parker Foundation. The care packages and quality of life programs have been fantastic during treatment.