Trace's fight against T-cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia & Mediastinal Mass

09/01/2025

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 💛🎗️

I used to listen to the St. Jude telethon fundraiser on my way to work, year after year, bawling my eyes out but thinking that would never happen to my family.

Not long after, I found myself sitting in the family room at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, watching that same commercial in complete shock. I’ll never forget leaving that room, walking straight into Trace’s hospital room, and hugging him so tight.

Unless you’ve walked this road with your own child, truly grasping the magnitude of what it feels like is not an option. Childhood cancer changes everything in an instant.

So please, hug your children, hold them close, and tell them how wonderful they are, every single day, multiple times a day. 💛 Life can change in an instant!

Thank you to Cody Short & Brother Band for this picture & memory!!

08/21/2025

Yesterday was a long day, but it was one we all needed, especially Trace. His counts looked better, so his oncologist was able to increase his at-home chemo. His spinal tap went great, and the results showed no cancer cells in his spine. 🙌 He still has nine spinal taps to go, but when we think about the fact that he just had his 17th, it feels like such a victory. We are so thankful for every single call, text, comment, and prayer that has lifted our family up. Your love carries us through.

🧡Rachael

Quick update!

It’s been an interesting month in our world. Between depleted blood counts, a relapse scare, two long weeks of bubble life, and an ER visit this past Friday, Trace has been through a lot. He’s been stressed, but as always, he’s shown incredible strength.

Tonight, Trace and I, are heading back down for a big day tomorrow (oncology appointment, a spinal tap with chemo into his spine, two additional chemo infusions, and a 4-hour IVIG infusion). It’s a lot for him, but if anyone can do it, it’s Trace.

Dave and Jordan will be home, holding down the fort and cheering Trace on from afar. Please keep our boy close in your prayers and cross your fingers for better results tomorrow.

🧡Rachael

08/19/2025

Quick update!

It’s been an interesting month in our world. Between depleted blood counts, a relapse scare, two long weeks of bubble life, and an ER visit this past Friday, Trace has been through a lot. He’s been stressed, but as always, he’s shown incredible strength.

Tonight, Trace and I, are heading back down for a big day tomorrow (oncology appointment, a spinal tap with chemo into his spine, two additional chemo infusions, and a 4-hour IVIG infusion). It’s a lot for him, but if anyone can do it, it’s Trace.

Dave and Jordan will be home, holding down the fort and cheering Trace on from afar. Please keep our boy close in your prayers and cross your fingers for better results tomorrow.

🧡Rachael

08/10/2025

Trace Update & Old picture alert! 🥰

Wednesday’s labs brought us a little ray of sunshine! His numbers are slightly better than last week, and we’ll celebrate any step in the right direction! My boy is back on his nightly chemo, but for now, he’s still in his little “bubble” until we head to Arthur M. Blank on August 20th.

That day will be a big one! He’ll get an IVIG treatment to help his immune system, and if his bloodwork says he’s strong enough, he’ll have his 17th spinal tap with chemo into his spine, plus another chemo infusion.

He’s still so tired, with a little cough and rash, but goodness, he keeps showing me what strength looks like. He may be home while Jordan’s starting middle school and I’m at the elementary school, but he’s always in my heart.

Trace, you amaze me every single day. One day at a time, my sweet boy! We’ve got this. Thank you, family, and friends, for every prayer, every check-in, and every ounce of love you send our way.

🧡Rachael

08/02/2025

Trace Update 🧡

Thank you for everyone for the overwhelming support we have received. We are so blessed as a family!

This past Wednesday, Trace had local bloodwork done, and unfortunately, the results were not favorable. His oncologist explained that since his cytometry came back negative for new cancer cells (thankfully!), we’re most likely looking at one of two things:
– His body is trying to fight off a virus that hasn’t fully hit yet
– Or his body simply needs time to recover from the recent rounds of chemotherapy

For now, the plan is for Trace to stay in a “bubble” for the next week. No school, no work, no visitors. Just rest, lots of hydration, healthy meals, and most importantly, no chemo (at home or inpatient) for the second week in a row.

He’s currently very congested, which may point to a virus trying to settle in. If he spikes a fever, we’ll head straight back to Atlanta.

We’ll repeat labs next Wednesday and go from there.

Please continue to keep Trace in your prayers, for healing, strength, and peace of mind. He’s been through so much, and we’re so proud of how strong he continues to be.

🧡Rachael

07/24/2025

The oncologist called… and the first words out of his mouth were:
“Unpack your bags you’re staying home.”

As soon as Trace heard those words through the phone, he jumped up and started screaming with joy to his dad and sister, “NO RELAPSE!”
It was pure relief, pure happiness and a moment we will never forget.

His test results came back negative for relapse.
No hospital stay. No month-long admission. We are staying home.

His oncologist said he had been tossing and turning, waiting on the results from pathology just like us. I don’t think our family has ever been so scared. These past 24 hours have been the hardest part of this journey.

Trace still has a road ahead with more labs next week, ongoing monitoring, and rest as his body recovers, but right now, we are breathing again and overwhelmed with gratitude.

To everyone who lifted Trace in prayer, sent messages, checked in, or simply held us in your heart, thank you. Your love and strength helped hold us together.

Please keep Trace in your prayers as we move forward. He is so strong. We are so proud of him.

🧡Rachael

Trace has had a tough month full of sickness, exhaustion, and worry. But tomorrow we head to the Arthur M. Blank for another important step in his journey.

Trace will undergo his 17th spinal tap with chemo into his spine, along with an additional chemo treatment. We’re praying hard for a smooth procedure, positive labs, and some weight gain as he truly needs it right now.

Please send all the good vibes, prayers, and strength his way. We are hopeful for a good day and grateful for your continued support.

🧡 Rachael

07/23/2025

Today brought news we wish we didn’t have to share.

Trace’s bloodwork this morning came back concerning. His team will be doing additional testing today to rule out a possible relapse. We’re holding on tight to hope and praying with everything we have that the results come back negative tomorrow. If the test is positive, we’ll be heading back to the hospital immediately and staying for a month. If it’s negative (please God!), Trace will get repeat labs next Wednesday and possibly restart his nightly chemotherapy.

Because of his weakened condition, his spinal tap with spinal chemotherapy had to be postponed. His body just isn’t strong enough today. Instead, he’ll be receiving a blood transfusion to help him recover some strength.

Trace is scared. We are heartbroken. Watching him walk through this with so much worry and fear is incredibly hard. We haven’t told Jordan yet; we’ll wait for tomorrow’s results before we do.

Please pray for our boy, for healing, for peace, and for good news. Thank you all for continuing to lift our family up through the highs and lows. Your love is carrying us more than you know.

🧡Rachael

Trace has had a tough month full of sickness, exhaustion, and worry. But tomorrow we head to the Arthur M. Blank for another important step in his journey.

Trace will undergo his 17th spinal tap with chemo into his spine, along with an additional chemo treatment. We’re praying hard for a smooth procedure, positive labs, and some weight gain as he truly needs it right now.

Please send all the good vibes, prayers, and strength his way. We are hopeful for a good day and grateful for your continued support.

🧡 Rachael

07/23/2025

Trace has had a tough month full of sickness, exhaustion, and worry. But tomorrow we head to the Arthur M. Blank for another important step in his journey.

Trace will undergo his 17th spinal tap with chemo into his spine, along with an additional chemo treatment. We’re praying hard for a smooth procedure, positive labs, and some weight gain as he truly needs it right now.

Please send all the good vibes, prayers, and strength his way. We are hopeful for a good day and grateful for your continued support.

🧡 Rachael

06/25/2025

Some days this journey feels heavier than others and today is one of those days.

I try so hard to stay strong for Trace, for Jordan, for our family, but the truth is, this road is incredibly hard. As a mom, all I want is for my son to be healthy, safe, and happy. And when things feel uncertain, when his numbers don’t make sense, when we leave appointments with more questions than answers—it takes every ounce of strength not to just scream from the weight of it all.

Trace has been such a warrior through it all. Even when he doesn’t feel well, even when the treatments are constant and the unknowns weigh on him, he pushes through with courage that humbles me. We’re continuing with his daily chemo treatments at home and will return at the end of July for his 17th spinal tap and additional chemotherapy. His ANC was triple what it should be, and if it’s still elevated by his next appointment, further tests will be done to figure out why. We’re praying it’s nothing more than a virus his body is working hard to fight off, and not anything more serious.

He also lost a little more weight again this week, which is another concern we’re closely watching, but we’re hopeful that brighter days are ahead.

We are walking forward one day at a time, clinging to faith and holding on to hope. If you can, please continue lifting Trace up in your prayers—for strength, for healing, and for peace of mind.

Thank you to each and every one of you who walks this path with us. Your love, encouragement, and support mean more than you’ll ever know.

🧡Rachael

06/24/2025

Trace Update

We’re heading back to Atlanta this week so Trace can receive his monthly additional chemotherapy treatments. These visits are never easy, but we keep moving forward one day at a time.

This past month has been one of pure happiness for Trace in many ways. He was granted his Make-A-Wish dream: a custom, autographed left-handed Synyster Gates electric guitar, complete with an incredible wall display case. It’s stunning, and it means the world to him and to us. There truly aren’t enough words to express how grateful we are to Make-A-Wish and everyone who helped make it happen.

That joy has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult couple of weeks. Trace has been struggling to keep food down and has felt completely drained and stressed. Watching your child go through that kind of exhaustion and discomfort is heartbreaking, but we continue to take it one day, and one step, at a time.

Yesterday, I loaded up what felt like a mountain of blankets and headed to the laundromat. While I was waiting for machines to open, I ran into one of our favorite people. We caught up for a few minutes, and after she left, a kind man sitting nearby with his sweet mother stood up and said, “I hate to pry, but was she asking about one of your children receiving treatment?” I said yes, my son. He asked Trace’s name and age and shared a story about someone he knew who had gone through leukemia. Then he said something that stopped me in my tracks:

“I just know Trace is going to come through this long road successfully.” Then he asked if we could pray together. He apologized for interrupting, but I assured him that his kindness meant the world. We ended up talking for nearly an hour, and in that time, I felt seen, heard, and deeply encouraged. He told me that despite what our family was facing, I had such a bubbly, positive spirit, and that was so rare. I was quick to let him know I put on a good front! He said I should consider public speaking or writing a book (not sure it would be a good idea🤪) about our family’s journey to give others hope.

Maybe that’s a path for me. Maybe not. But I do know that God sends the right people at the right time, and yesterday, that kind man gave me just the comfort and peace I needed.

So, as we prepare for another round of treatment this week, we are holding onto the good moments, the generous souls who lift us up, and the belief that there are brighter days ahead.

As always, thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers. You have no idea how much they mean to us.

🧡 Rachael

06/21/2025

An old picture of Trace and his cousin Ad! 💕

06/11/2025

Thank you doesn’t feel like enough… but from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. 🧡

To Make-A-Wish Georgia-thank you for seeing the worth in our son even when he couldn’t see it in himself. You gave him something to smile about, something to look forward to, and a memory he’ll carry with him forever.

To Copperhead Lodge-thank you for opening your doors and your hearts to our family. You helped create the most beautiful setting for such a meaningful day.

To Brother Band and Riley Dennis-thank you for sharing your musical gifts. Trace felt like a rockstar, and your presence made the day even more unforgettable.

To everyone who came out to celebrate-thank you!! For your hugs, your love, your thoughtful gifts, your cheers, and for just being there. We truly wish we had taken more photos, especially of Trace with family and friends, but the memories we made will live forever in our hearts.

To Make-A-Wish again-thank you not only for Trace’s wish, but for the sweet surprise you gave Jordan. Her gift made her feel seen, valued, and so loved. As a sister who has stood strong beside her brother through all of this, that moment meant the world to her!

And to our sweet Trace-EVERY SINGLE DAY you wake up and face chemo, pain, and the unknown with a strength most adults wouldn’t have, and yet you still smile.

We love you with every piece of us. We are beyond proud of you. We know some days feel impossible… but Trace, you’ve got this!

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