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

11/14/2025

Update on our babes 💛

Trace is home and resting. I’m not ready to talk about his results yet because, to be honest, the answers we did get only led to more questions. Oncology was very puzzled, and until they finish digging deeper and we have the full picture, I’m not ready to speak on it publicly.

For now, the plan stays the same: daily chemo as always, back mid-December for chemotherapy, an oncology appointment, and monthly IVIG treatments. One bright spot, he is so happy to have his pup back home with him! Thank you to everyone for your help!

Today was a long, emotional day for Jordan, but we finally got some answers and a clearer plan for how to help her moving forward.

For the last couple of months, Jordan has had pain in her neck, back, and knees, along with joint swelling from her arthritis. After imaging and evaluations, she was diagnosed with mild scoliosis, with a sideways curve beginning in her thoracic spine. She also has lumbar lordosis, which is an exaggerated inward curve in her lower back that puts pressure on her hips, stomach, and pelvis explaining a lot of her daily back, hip, and knee pain. On top of that, she has sway-back posture, which makes the lordosis even more pronounced.

The good news: with physical therapy twice a month at Children’s, we can avoid surgery and bracing for now. We’ll reassess everything in six months. Because of her arthritis, avoiding surgery is always the goal unless absolutely necessary and her PT was incredibly hopeful.

I do want to be honest and say that our experience with the surgeon after her PT session was not a positive one. His bedside manner was nonexistent, and he ended up putting Jordan in tears. We will not be returning, and her rheumatologist will absolutely be hearing from us tomorrow. Our kids deserve compassion, especially when they’ve already been through more than most adults ever will.

Jordan’s PT told her she is one of the strongest 11-year-olds she’s seen in years. She even handed Jordan the tightest leg band their office had, which says a lot about her strength. Then we went to the surgeon, and he told her she needed to “get in shape,” get off screens, and “get on a team,” because dance and gymnastics (which she doesn’t even do gymnastics) “aren’t real sports” for spine strength. Then he followed it with, “But you’re cute though,” like she was five. She told him she’s been in pain her whole life, so she doesn’t even know how to describe it anymore and this new diagnosis is just “one more thing” she’ll get through.

Needless to say… we won’t be going back.

And in true Jordan fashion, she looked at me as soon as the car doors locked us back inside and said, “he was two seconds away from a throat punch, just to show him what I thought about his little “team” comment.” 😂 That girl’s fire keeps me alive.

Both of our kids amaze us every single day. Thank you for the calls, texts, and prayers over this last week. Our family feels every bit of the love, and we are so grateful. 💛

🩷Rachael

Tomorrow morning, Trace and his dad will head to Atlanta for Trace’s oncology appointment and chemotherapy. We already received some bloodwork results that have us feeling nervous and anxious to hear more about. Then on Thursday, Jordan and I will head down for two appointments we’ve been waiting on for over a month.

To be honest, the anxiety has been heavy lately. It has driven Dave and me crazy just thinking about what’s ahead for both of our kids this week. We’re praying for good news and for calm hearts. 💛

Please keep Trace and Jordan in your thoughts and prayers these next few days. Our family truly appreciates every bit of love and support.

🩷Rachael

11/12/2025

Each treatment brings us closer to the day Trace can ring this Damn Bell. What a day that will be.

11/12/2025

Tomorrow morning, Trace and his dad will head to Atlanta for Trace’s oncology appointment and chemotherapy. We already received some bloodwork results that have us feeling nervous and anxious to hear more about. Then on Thursday, Jordan and I will head down for two appointments we’ve been waiting on for over a month.

To be honest, the anxiety has been heavy lately. It has driven Dave and me crazy just thinking about what’s ahead for both of our kids this week. We’re praying for good news and for calm hearts. 💛

Please keep Trace and Jordan in your thoughts and prayers these next few days. Our family truly appreciates every bit of love and support.

🩷Rachael

11/10/2025

Please be on the lookout for our pup Bodhi! Very sweet baby! Lost off Pleasant Hill Rd.

11/04/2025

Thank you for all the text messages, phone calls, and prayers over the last week or so! Our family is so thankful that all this sickness is finally starting to pass.

Trace and I were at Arthur Blank today visiting the hematology side of life, which, to be honest, completely stinks. I’m hopeful that the testing they did today will give us better insight into what’s been going on with Trace.

We are truly grateful and so blessed for everyone around us. Your love and support mean more than words can say.

🧡Rachael

10/16/2025

Sweet pups!!

10/16/2025

Trace is home and resting. He is out with his dad as we speak so he is feeling pretty good today! The next few days are usually filled with a lot of fatigue, but we’re so thankful everything went smoothly. He gained 13 pounds (!!), his bloodwork looked great, and his spine is still clear of any growing cancer cells.

We also received some news about Jordan that we’re still trying to digest. It’s been a lot to take in, but we’re holding onto hope and faith as we figure out the next steps for her. 💜

We are so thankful for the Ronald McDonald House and everything they continue to do for families like ours. The kids especially loved the visit from the therapy dogs this week, such a bright spot in a long journey!

💛 Please remember to save your coke can tabs, soup can tabs, and dog and cat food tabs! I can take them to the school, and they donate the cash earned straight back to the Ronald McDonald House to help families in need. Every little bit truly makes a difference!

Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and support. Our family feels it every single day.

Rachael

#18 Here We Come!

Less than 10 to go until we finally reach the finish line of spinal taps! When I think back to the day we first heard Trace would have to go through 26 of them, I remember feeling so defeated and heartbroken. And now…here we are. Almost to the end.

We are headed down to Atlanta today, as a family, for Trace’s appointment tomorrow morning, which will include his 18th spinal tap with chemo injected into his spine, along with other chemotherapy treatments. He’s been on steroids the past couple of months, which has caused some swelling, so please say a little extra prayer that everything goes smoothly and they’re able to complete the spinal without any issues.

It’s been a long while since Jordan has been able to come down with us, and it makes my heart happy having her come this time. 💛 She’ll also be having her own x-rays and bloodwork for her arthritis tomorrow, so it’s a big day for both of them.

We are forever grateful to the Ronald McDonald House for taking such good care of us over the last two years. Unless you’ve stayed there yourself, it’s hard to truly understand the love and kindness that fill those walls. They have been such a blessing to our family, just like all of you who continue to lift us up in prayer and support.

Thank you all for walking this journey with us. We feel your love every step of the way.

🧡 Rachael

10/14/2025

#18 Here We Come!

Less than 10 to go until we finally reach the finish line of spinal taps! When I think back to the day we first heard Trace would have to go through 26 of them, I remember feeling so defeated and heartbroken. And now…here we are. Almost to the end.

We are headed down to Atlanta today, as a family, for Trace’s appointment tomorrow morning, which will include his 18th spinal tap with chemo injected into his spine, along with other chemotherapy treatments. He’s been on steroids the past couple of months, which has caused some swelling, so please say a little extra prayer that everything goes smoothly and they’re able to complete the spinal without any issues.

It’s been a long while since Jordan has been able to come down with us, and it makes my heart happy having her come this time. 💛 She’ll also be having her own x-rays and bloodwork for her arthritis tomorrow, so it’s a big day for both of them.

We are forever grateful to the Ronald McDonald House for taking such good care of us over the last two years. Unless you’ve stayed there yourself, it’s hard to truly understand the love and kindness that fill those walls. They have been such a blessing to our family, just like all of you who continue to lift us up in prayer and support.

Thank you all for walking this journey with us. We feel your love every step of the way.

🧡 Rachael

09/17/2025

Update on Trace 💛

We came down yesterday afternoon for today’s appointment, and I finally get to share some good news! Trace gained 7.2 lbs! 🙌 His blood pressure was very high, but his P*P recently started him on a couple of months of steroids for the rash that came back, and his oncologist agreed that’s likely the cause but they are needed at this time.

His bloodwork came back excellent! His oncologist is slowly increasing his chemo dosages. His body is still recovering from all the sicknesses over the past couple of months, so a full dosage isn’t possible just yet, but at least we are moving in the right direction.

We also got the results from Trace’s genetic testing. They looked at everything—his Kawasaki Disease, history of 4 aneurysms around his heart, bicuspid aortic valve, history of blood clots, seizure history as a child, his mediastinal mass, and of course his T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Results showed no genetic mutation passed down through our family history caused any of this, which is such a relief. 🙏 They did find a mutation related to his seizures, so he’ll be referred to a neurologist for more answers about epilepsy and whether it could carry into adulthood. His oncologist feels good about it since he’s had zero seizures through chemo and spinal taps (which is a huge side effect risk), but we’ll check with the neurologist just to confirm.

Trace will return next month for his 18th spinal tap with chemo injected into his spine, along with other treatments. For now, he’s getting chemo and his flu shot today, and then we’re heading home.

We’re also really looking forward to supporting his sister on October 4th for her Arthritis Walk! 💜 She inspires us every day with her strength, and it means so much to be able to cheer her on. https://events.arthritis.org/teams/39316

My heart is so relieved today! 💛

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