His health was always a concern for our family. If you had a cold or anything along those lines you were not allowed to come around. With us that was a task within itself. When you have a lot of elementary school age siblings, you take a risk. Kids can carry sickness and never actually get sick. But the fact that Cory had a weak immune system made it dangerous. I can remember constantly wearing medical masks just to be able to play with him.
He was able to come home at one point but under strict conditions after his 1st transplant. Our family (grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) came together and cleaned our house from top to bottom! A local HVAC company donated and installed a heating and cooling unit for the house. So that the air could be filtered for him. The house was prepared and we were ready for Cory. The day he was to come home I go to school eager to see my brother. Later that day, while sitting there in my 3rd grade class, all of the sudden my neck starts itching. It wouldn't let up, getting worse by the second. So I go to the teacher. Before I can get it out of my mouth her eyes get big and she says "What's wrong with your skin Lance?" I had no idea but my face was broke out with red bumps. She sends me to the office to call home. But who am I to call? My parents were trying to get Cory home. I called my grandparents and they got in touch with my brother Shawn at school. He signs out and heads to get me. All I could think of was I won't be able to see Cory. I've waited forever (in the time frame for a child). The whole entire 3rd grade helped me make a "Get Well" video for him. I was heartbroken!
Shawn took me to our doctor a town away. Sitting there waiting I can remember not really saying anything. I guess with my body language and quietness Shawn could read me. He said "I'm sure you are ok. Don't worry." Even from an early age I was taught that when in need, pray. So I said a prayer that only a child could say to myself. "GOD make me better."
Finally the doctor comes in, which seemed like forever. He talked toy brother and asked me a few questions that are normal in the doctors office. I answered the best I could. Then he stops and stares at me for a second and smiles. He asked me "Lance, have you been playing in a pile of leaves?" I replied "yes". He said I thought so as he pulled a piece of a dead leaf off of my blue Jean jacket. I was allergic to dead leaves that's all it was. So I was given medicine to take care of it and was going to be able to see Cory after all!
This would be one of the last times that he would come home. This was early fall and he would come back home after Christmas right before his 2nd bone marrow transplant. This is when our struggle with the losing battle begins. To be continued.......
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