Cooper LaMere's Story:
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Cooper was diagnosed on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 with Type B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
We brought Cooper in for a well-visit on Thursday, July 31, 2014. His doctor noticed that Cooper seemed pale, suspected low iron, and ordered some blood work. We left with a script for iron supplements and went away for a mini family vacation. From what I know now, his doctor suspected it was something more than low iron. Friday we received a call from the nurse at his doctor's office that Cooper was anemic and to continue the iron supplements. That was the last I expected to hear from them.
We had a great mini vacation. Cooper had so much fun, full of energy as always. The following Monday we were traveling home, and Cooper's pediatrician called. He said there were some questions with his blood work and to bring him to Strong for additional testing. We came in Tuesday, August 5th thinking this was some wacky virus that he had months ago wreaking havoc on his blood cells. He had no symptoms of even a cold, let alone leukemia. Cooper was diagnosed and we were immediately admitted to start treatment.
The good news is that his prognosis is very good. I have to believe that is probably due to his doctor having the insight to know this was something more than iron deficiency. I cannot put in to words how grateful I am to Cooper’s doctor, and to the lab technician that couldn’t stop thinking about Cooper’s lab results that weekend so he ordered additional testing on Monday. Kids can be sick for weeks or months before a diagnosis is made.
Nonetheless our lives forever changed that day as we entered into this world of childhood cancer. Cooper will undergo treatment for a total of three years and has been cancer free since day 29 of treatment.
To keep updated with Cooper progress through treatment you can visit our Caring Bridge Site at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cooperlamere
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