CJ's Mom's Story

Presenting Christopher Joseph Adam (CJ) 12/24/91
The Best Christmas Present Ever!

All About CJ's Leukemia

After a very difficult pregnancy, CJ came into this world on December 24, 1991 - a much wanted and loved child. He was the best Christmas Present that anyone could have ever given. CJ was a a very happy-go-lucky baby and very healthy! He began walking at 8 months (well actually running!) and talking soon after (and has never quite stopped!). The first few years of his life went uneventfully. From the beginning CJ was a very fun-loving, active little boy - always moving & always smiling. We never imagined that in a few short years our entire world would be turned upside down.

The Beginning
CJ June '96

This is CJ one month or so before he was diagnosed.
Little did we know how drastically our lives were about to change.

In July of 1996 we took a trip to the beach - one of CJ's favorite places, but this trip would turn out to be different this time. CJ just wasn't able to keep up with us. Instead of riding his own bike, he had to ride in a basket on his dad's bike. He didn't want to go into the Ocean, and though the weather was very hot and humid, little CJ just couldn't get warm enough. We became increasingly concerened. He wouldn't eat, and didn't want to drink much. One night he spiked a fever of over 103. We decided to end our vacation early and return home.

I made an appointment with CJ's Doctor who took one look at him and looked extremely worried. Blood tests were done, and we were sent to another pediatrician for a second opinion. We were told at the very best he was anemic, he immediately sent us down to the University of MD Medical System and said to pack a bag, that we would be spending a few nights there. Immediate panic set in, not sure what lay ahead of us.

On the drive to the Hospital, I tried for CJ's sake to stay calm, though inside I felt like I was falling apart. All I wanted to do was to hold CJ, and go to sleep hoping that when I woke up this would just be a bad dream.

The next morning he was taken into Children's Cancer Center at the hospital. Surely, we thought, we must be in the wrong place, there was no way that our little boy had cancer! We were led back to an examining room where the Oncologist looked CJ over. Shortly thereafter he had the first of many Spinal Taps and Bone Marrow Aspirations. The Oncologist told us that they would have the results in another day. We began to prepare ourselves for a nightmare that we thought would never happen.

The next day we were called into the Oncologist's Office. He sat us down and told us that he was very sorry, but that CJ had what was known as Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, and went on to explain to us exactly what that was. My mind exploded thinking how possibly this could have happened to our CJ. My husband began weeping. The Oncologist explained that they believed, that with Chemotherapy CJ's Leukemia would go into remission and they had every reason to believe that he would grow up "normally". The chemotherapy would start that day and he would need surgery to have a catheter implanted in his chest. We were told that Chemo would make CJ feel quite sick and that his hair would probably fall out.

We went back to his room, and we had to explain to him and to his sister what was wrong with him and that nothing he had done had caused it, but together we would fight the Leukemia. I promised him I would always be with him when he was in the hospital, and to this day I have been there every time. I wouldn't want it any other way. We were in the hospital that time for about 10 days. After we were released, a home health care nurse was assigned to us. We had to return the clinic a few times a week for a few weeks. At then end of the first month we learned that CJ was in remission. He would continue on Chemotherapy for the next 2 1/2 years. We were so relieved that we had overcome the first hurdle.

CJ's Treatments

CJ soon began treatment which involved a his home health care nurse coming once a week to give an injection(part of his chemotherapy), and monthly visits to the clinic for a check up, blood draws, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations, and chemotherapy treatments. He began Kindergarten in September of 1996, and the entire class was granted permission to wear baseball hats.

CJ's Kindergarten Picture

CJ's First day of Kindergarten.
My brave little guy - always smiling!

CJ has been off of treatment for over 10 years, and it has been over ten years since he was diagnosed! To do this day, he remains cancer-free! His visits to the hospital are now every 12 months.

About CJ

CJ is currently in the 12th grade and doing quite well in mostly all honors courses! He enjoys math, science & phys ed classes. CJ is a very compassionate, sensitive young man - always looking out for someone else, especially those who may be "different". CJ has tons of friends, and we can't go anywhere without him knowing someone!

CJ insists that one day he will play professional soccer or basketball, and I believe that he will fulfill this dream one day. His goal is to become a Sports Trainer or go into Sports Management. He is a wonderful soccer player and loves hanging out with his friends. CJ also enjoys playing. He is a "normal" boy and loves to be outside with his friends. He enjoys playing video games, running, going to the movies and watching TV. Although we feel like CJ has been robbed of the childhood he would have had, had the Leukemia not have happened, we have made so many friends and we have grown so much. If anything good comes out of this whole experience it is that we will never ever, not for one moment take our children for granted.

This is a poem that was given to me by a very dear friend who lost her sister to breast cancer over 15 years ago. Thanks Elli!

Cancer is so limited...

It cannot crippple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the spirit

source unknown

This website is dedicated in loving memory of CJ's Opa (grandfather), who died very suddenly on October 15, 2003. Opa was a German Professor at a local university, he loved Shortwave Radios and traveling abroad to Germany, Estonia and several other countries. Opa enjoyed visiting with his family & especially loved his spending time with his children & grandchildren. He is greatly missed by everyone.

This web site is also dedicated to the memory of CJ's Great Grandmother. Oma, as we called her was one of the strongest people I have ever known. She was an inspiration to me throughout my life. It is from her that CJ inherited his courage and his strength. Our dear Oma was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease and was called home in October of 1996 after a very courageous battle. She is greatly missed by everyone.

This web site is also dedicated to the memory of CJ's Aunt In-Sik "Kim" Meurer. Kim fought very bravely for over 3 years against Lung Cancer, and sadly died in March of 2005. Kim was a very kind, generous person who loved her family and her friends. She is missed dearly by everyone.

mar6732@adelphia.net

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