After giving her my long list of concerns, “…he won’t walk anymore, he crawls, he has even stopped drinking from his sippy cup and only wants a bottle, he won’t say mama and dada anymore, his stomach is sticking out, but he is losing weight, he lies on the middle of the floor on his stomach most the day...” this doctor took my concerns and began to put things into action.  We got blood work drawn and an appointment with the neurologist for his developmental step back.  Later that day I got a call from a nurse telling me to rush Gabriel to the hospital he had hemoglobin of 3.9.  I didn’t know what hemoglobin was at the time, but I know it wasn’t good.  I tried not to panic.  I just prayed, “Lord I know my son belongs to you, my will is not there is something seriously wrong with him, but if it is God as long as you get the Glory out of the situation you will give us the strength to endure anything.”  A nurse there advised me to transfer my son to Children’s hospital of Michigan because Gabriel looked very sick and she knew Children’s had more experience.  After the transfer and the overwhelming, countless blood draws, a bone marrow came, the moment I will never forget.

A nurse enters our hospital room, on December 8, 2005, “Do you mind if I take your older son to the playroom while the doctors talk to you?”  I consented to letting him go, having my two year old in the hospital all day, wondering what was going on with Gabriel and being 4 months pregnant was tiring.  I thought of it as a break while two doctors and a social worker pulled chairs into Gabriel’s room.  At 14 months, he lay in the crib sleeping as the doctors began speaking to me.  “As you know we did a bone marrow on Gabriel yesterday and we are now able to give you a diagnosis.  We discussed a few diseases we were trying to piece together for Gabriel. The results of his bone marrow where out of every 100 blood cells in his body 90 are cancer, we have diagnosed him with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  Also known as ALL B precursor…”  At the moment I was unable to focus on the way it made me feel. My almost immediate response was “What do we do next?”  I knew we had to keep moving forward and not give up hope.

I contacted the Red Cross to inform my husband in boot camp his son has cancer.  The next day my baby was scheduled for surgery, blood transfusions, platelet transfusion, to start chemotherapy… it was a whirlwind.

 Since that day in December God has given our family strength to survive.  We’ve had challenges and continue to. Children's Chance has been a blessing to our family.  Our family moved to South Carolina the end of January.  We hadn't planned on the expense of having an exceptional child.  We have no family here and had no friends.  Traveling to the hospital with three children, co pays, food...were beginning to break us.  I finally asked my social worker at MUSC for insight on organizations that could help our family with our needs.  She told me she was going to contact Children's Chance.  I was contacted by DeeAnn and she turned my worries into hope.  Children's Chance not only help pay our bills, they also sent us gas cards and food certificates.  All I could do is thank God for this organization.  After being blessed financially, DeeAnn encouraged me.  She knew exactly how I felt because she had been here.  She inspired me, learning she helps make miracles happen for families like her own.   Children's Chance not only fills a need but helps families as a whole.  That is what sets them apart and keeps them in my heart and my prayers. 

Still undergoing the top third intensive chemotherapy and remaining strong through everything.  He is a hero and in my heart he is already a survivor.  Gabriel recently had to get a G Tube placement, and we are making a difficult decision to separate our family, moving to Michigan where we have more support through this intensive regimen of chemotherapy.  This may not be every man’s battle, but for those who battle these cancers, this is our life.  Just like the meaning of Gabriel’s name, God is my strength.  May you be blessed this Christmas season and I hope my son’s testimony is a Witness of the Glory of God.

With a grateful heart,
Angela Caldwell
-Story submitted by Angela Caldwell, mother of Gabriel

Gabriel Caldwell has most likely been through more in his life already than most of us will ever experience. And for that, Gabriel is truly a Children’s Chance Champion!

Read Matthew's story.
Read Amber's story.
Read Ruthie's story.
Read Joel's story.
Read Annastin's story.
Read Brittany's story.
Read the Ferguson family's story.
Read Madelyn's story.

 

To submit your family's story about your own experience with pediatric cancer to be featured in the Meet the Families section, please email to: samanthahiggins@bellsouth.net  (include pictures if you like) or call the office at (803) 254-5996!