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Ethan Strong, Ashland, ME (2026)

04/30/2026

Guess who went home today!

How incredibly blessed are we to have such an amazing village that lifted Ethan in thoughts and prayers so forcefully, it seemed to have worked!
This is a journey we couldn’t have done alone, and how everyone rallied together last night to bring us home, just proves it all.

After what seemed like a long morning, the family was released early afternoon. Ethan will have local labs done on Wednesday, and until then we are holding off on chemo.
Lots of rest and lots of love are on the menu for now as we keep getting Ethan to feeling better.

Don’t stop those prayers! It’s one of the few things that get us by some days, especially knowing how often this village has the power to make them work! We’re going to keep making it towards that finish line, one day at a time.

Truly, sincerely, thank you all.
Much love,
Ethan Strong 🧡👍🏼

Briana Pelkey Zach Pelkey

04/30/2026

Hey everyone!

The saying goes no news is good news, but we’re here with a second update to yesterday.

Upon leaving the clinic yesterday, Ethan spiked a fever, causing Mom and Ethan to have to turn around. After some blood test, some sent off to be cultured, it showed levels low enough that needed Ethan to be admitted. They immediately started administering antibiotics and trying to get Ethan comfortable and back to feeling better!

The day was a jumbled mess for Mom and Dad, as this became a frenzy of immediately having to change plans. A car full of groceries with Mom and Ethan in Bangor, needing to get home to Ashland where Dad and brothers are.

After lots of panic of arrangements, the what ifs of what was going on with Ethan, and the fear of setbacks being so close to the what should be the end of this journey, our village managed again. Family at home always goes above and beyond for us, making sure the boys at home have nothing to worry about. The wonderful nursing staff arranged to meet Zach in Millinocket to swap groceries (what an amazing above the job effort by these amazing people!). There was a slight hiccup, but a lovely family member was able to save the groceries, and Zach was able to be there last night for Ethan and Mom. Just what the doctor ordered!

Today, Ethan got a blood transfusion, a much needed step in his healing journey through this hiccup! If the cultures taken come back negative and his ANC and other counts are stable, Ethan can be released to come home tomorrow, but we won’t know for sure until then.

Let’s all pray extra for this little man and his family tonight. For Ethan’s speedy recovering and for findings to look good tomorrow to come home. For a peaceful night for Mom and Dad, as this is rattling during this phase of our course through Ethan’s Leukemia. And for a night of sleep so good, there’s not a worry until the morning.
We are still fighting, one day at a time.

🧡👍🏼 Ethan Strong

Briana Pelkey Zach Pelkey

04/28/2026

Hey all!
It’s been a while, we’re so sorry for that.
Turns out keeping up with Ethan, well life itself really, is a full time job!

Ethan went down for treatment today for his chemo vinicristine and IVIG for immunity.
He has an ear infection going on, but luckily the doctors caught that and are treating with antibiotics.
Ethans doctor was als concerned about his walking and limping, and is putting him on a medication to help ease the pain. Towards the end of treatments, it’s very common that it can make one sore, and walking becomes difficult.
This sounds scary, or like a setback, but Ethan’s doctor isn’t worried. She says we’re on track, and we are still keeping our end of treatment date! We will just be cutting his dose of chemo in half as his numbers begin to go up.

We never thought two years ago that time would ever move for us again, that the world would keep spinning after receiving Ethan’s diagnosis.
Ethan has fought so many uphill battles, with the unwavering support and love from so many family and friends. It feels funny to say we are busy again, and to be apologizing for lack of updates for it, but funny in a good way.
We’re getting back to loving life a little more, one day at a time.

Ethan Strong 🧡👍🏼

Zach Pelkey Briana Pelkey

03/24/2026

Hey everyone! We want to apologize for how quiet we’ve been lately, we have been trying to ease back to “normal” and we are almost there. Ethan’s expected end of treatment is August 6th, 2026!!!!! Read it again!!!! August 6th, 2026 the day we never thought would come!!! Ethan has been doing great with a few recent minor set backs such as transfusions and low counts but we are creeping up on the 2 year mark of Ethan’s diagnosis. We would be lying if we said it has been easy but our boy is SO strong and has proved to us just really how strong he is as well as all of his family, friends and supporters!We know we wouldn’t be where we are today without strength and prayer. Enjoy this video of Ethan jumping around! Ethan Strong 👍🧡Zach Pelkey Briana Pelkey

02/15/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Ethan decided he missed his pals at the Clinic and struck a fever Friday morning of 101.5, and anything over 100.4 for him requires some testing. So a swift trip was taken down, some labs run, a little IV antibiotic and a little overnight hotel stay were had.

Good news, that little dose of antibiotics and getting out of town for the night did the trick! Ethan’s ANC is over 4000, hemoglobin is at 11, and his platelets are at 182. The Covid, influenza, and rsv tests all came back negative as well! That left us believing Ethan just picked up something viral somewhere, and thankfully his body was able to fight it well!

We hope you all had a much less eventful start to your valentines weekend, though we’re really glad to see the change from how Ethan’s body can handle sickness now compared to this time last year. We’ve definitely come a long way!

Much love,
Ethan Strong 🧡👍🏼
Briana Pelkey Zach Pelkey

01/16/2026

Hey all!
It’s been a hot minute, and for that we do deeply apologize.

But that also means relatively good things!
Ethan has been doing so well, his visit at the clinic last Thursday confirmed his counts staying stable. He has stopped vomiting as much, getting a little more appetite back, and his spunky spark is coming back too! He takes another trip down on the 27th for an LP, and we’re hoping for more confirmation we are headed the right direction still!

Ethan and family have been slowly getting back to a busier life lately. Since Ethan’s counts have been rising and stable, it’s opened up the ability to do just a little more. Mom is able to work from home during the week now, family and friends are able to visit a little more, and taking Ethan out and about again, even if it’s just to family houses. Soon enough he’s going to have all his strength back to wrestle his dad on who gets to drive the lawn equiptment! 😂

This may not seem like much, or is normal for a lot of people’s day to day activities, but for our family, getting back to these things is the progress we’ve been so desperately trying to reach. A goal that seemed so far fetched just a little under two years ago when our world was changed, when Ethan’s life became even more fragile. Some days, and months even, were so hard. Setbacks after progress made it seem impossible, but here we are, slowing reaching the peak of this mountain.
So we’ve been celebrating it! Living as much life as we can, face to face, back to loving our people and places again.

It’s been one day, one step at a time. A long, slow and steady pace that all of you have walked beside us for, hand in hand, with support that is unbelievable, immeasurable, and unwavering. Thank you for walking through this with us, always having Ethan in your thoughts and prayers, and we always feel the extra ones sent for the family!

Much love,
Ethan Strong 🧡👍🏼

Briana Pelkey Zach Pelkey

10/17/2025

Hello to our friends and family!

We know, we know, it’s been FOREVER since you’ve gotten word on Ethan.
While we’re sorry for the time lapse between posts, we’re also thrilled to be able to be so full of life again! We’ve been fully immersed in living and experiencing life with Ethan again now that we can. It’s a nice change, one we prayed so long to reach again.

Ethan truly has been thriving! Last week, his ANC was 1280 and his platelets a 220. Such great numbers for this champ, and we can only keep praying to continure moving in this direction!
Ethan went down today for his IVIG infusion. Nothing scary, just his routine infusion to help boost his immunities. We will take any help we can get!

Knowing where we are now compared to a year ago seems like two different lifetimes. Seeing Ethan now compared to a year ago, it’s like a whole different kid. If one thing has always remained consistent, it’s been the continuous and overwhelming support from all of you! We can’t thank our village enough, our hospital/clinic staffs enough, or all of you enough for truly being the words and hope that got us through.
We are no where near done yet, but it feels good to see the brighter side of life again.
One day at a time.

Ethan Strong 🧡👍🏼

Briana Pelkey Zach Pelkey

09/03/2025

Remember how we said Ethan’s Mom and Dad are getting married?

Well, we had a little celebration for them before the big day with our closest family and friends.

As you can see, Ethan may have had a couple sips too much of the sparkling grape juice and was definitely the life of the party!

Dolly Parton came on, he grabbed his cousin Ally, and they let out all the moves!

Please enjoy these two sweet babes giggling and dancing their hearts out as much as we did. It’s these moments where we find our peace again. 🧡

Ethan Strong 👍🏼

Briana Dyer Zach Pelkey

09/02/2025

Hello all our friends and family!

We’re sorry it’s been a bit for an update, but that just means we are getting back to living life a little!

Ethan has been doing relatively well lately. A few hiccups with minor things here and there, but so far, we’re still moving forward on the right track! We’ve noticed just how full of life he’s been lately. How much more excited he is when family is able to be around to visit, the way he will full belly laugh again playing with his cousins and brothers. The way his words are now flowing out in sentences as hes gaining some independence back. One of our personal favorites, his weight and hair are coming back for now too!

Ethan has an appointment coming up next week on Tuesday. He and Dad will make the day trip to get Ethan’s lumbar puncture and labs checked, and we are so praying things go smoothly. A smooth travel day, no hiccups for Ethan, and ultimately being told we’re still on track for his continued healing journey!

Being on track with Ethan is super important right now, and we need ALL the prayers we can get!
Ethan’s Mom and Dad are getting MARRIED this month, and having everything stay on our intended path is definitely key right now! Ethan’s health always, ALWAYS, comes first, and we know with everyone rooting for him, we will hopefully stay headed in the right direction.

Please enjoy these photos of the smiling face we love to see so much as you send him up in your prayers. We enjoy sharing our joys with you, our little glimpses of Ethan feeling good. We enjoy it because we know how deeply you all fight for him, and continue to do so. We will never be able to say thank you enough.

One day at a time,
Ethan Strong 🧡👍🏼

Briana Dyer Zach Pelkey

07/19/2025

Ethan had the most heart warming day, Make-A-Wish Maine made this little boys garage dreams come true!

Ethan’s Garage Repair and Service is open for business! With some new tools and a pretty sweet place to fix all of his toys with gears, Ethan is going to be a busy guy. A little piece of joy in what has been a long journey of ups and downs is just what this fighter needed to keep his spirits high!

To see the absolute joy and wonder on his face, and the excitement and fun he was having with his family today, was a blessing to witness. To see the village he has in family surrounding him on such an important day really helped refill the strength we need in this journey. We can’t thank you all enough for being there with us today. This will truly be a day Ethan will never forget.

We’re preparing ourselves for his new business hours, that we’re sure will consist of Ethan being in the shop from sun up until he’s being taken inside for bedtime. Truly, we couldn’t be happier seeing just how overjoyed he is with his wish. Our Make-A-Wish Team was truly incredible and made this boys dreams come true! We will forever be so grateful.

Happy Happy Birthday, our sassy, sweet little warrior.
🧡👍🏼Ethan Strong

Thank you Jenn Pelkey for the incredible photos!
Briana Dyer Zach Pelkey

Ethan Strong

04/30/2026

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