Noah Jacobs
After a visit to the pediatrician on October 16th, 2008 due to swollen glands, low grade fever, red bumps on his scalp, and trouble breathing at night, Noah was suspected to have mumps and strep throat. He immediately began an antibiotic regimen.
After five more trips to the doctor informing him that Noah could not breath at night, Noah was placed on an oral steroid. After five days of steroids, Noah seemed better. Unfortunately, the very next day his situation took a turn for the worse. His glands got so swollen that they became larger than golf balls. Breathing became increasingly difficult for him. Realizing something was terribly wrong, Noah's mother demanded more tests by the family doctor and for Noah to be seen by an infectious disease doctor.
On October 31st, 2008 Noah was finally scheduled to see an infectious disease specialist. Amazingly, the doctor was moving offices on that day and the receptionist at the front desk felt they family should reschedule for after the weekend. Desperate, Noah's mother insisted he be seen, instinctively knowing it could not wait.
After chest x-rays and blood work, the family left the doctor's office somewhat relieved, feeling confident they were finally going to find out what was wrong with Noah. Within 30 minutes, the family received a call from the doctor informing them to pack their bags because Noah needed to be admitted to the ICU. A large mass was found on his chest x-ray. Right then and there, driving in their car, the Jacob family's lives changed forever.
One admitted, Noah underwent a biopsy and emergency surgery where he almost lost his life. Eerily, the oncologist informed the family that Noah would not have made it through the weekend. Tests revealed that Noah had Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, T-cell. More tests revealed that the cancer had spread to his kidneys and spine. A two year chemotherapy and radiation regimen began immediately. After 30 days of treatment, thankfully, Noah went into remission.
Like all children battling cancer, Noah has endured countless finger pricks, and scans. He underwent surgery to insert his port and received nine days of radiation treatment to his brain, not to mention bone marrow biopsies, and lymph node biopsies. As a result of treatment, Noah has struggled with side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, mood swings, and mouth sores. He struggles with the difficulty of taking oral medications on a consistent basis.
Although still undergoing chemotherapy, today, Noah is in first grade. He enjoys spending time with his big sister Nicole and taking Taekwondo after school.
Thank you for allowing us to share Noah's story with you.