Evan Westphal age #
ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA (ALL)
In the in winter of 2010, Evan was having ear
infections that would not get better with antibiotics.
He woke up one evening with a nose bleed that his
mother could not get to stop bleeding. His parents took
him to the local hospital where they were finally able to stop the bleeding, and Evan was
sent home. The next morning, his mom, Janice, took him to the pediatrician where he
was given some antibiotics for another ear infection and also had some blood work done.
The next evening his family received a phone call that there was a bed waiting for Evan at
Beaumont Children’s Hospital and that something serious was going on. Once Evan was
at Beaumont, more blood and bone marrow tests were run, and on January 11, 2011,
the six-year-old was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Treatment started
immediately and Evan was in the hospital for 10 days. He had an intense first six months
of treatment and over the next three years he would have many doctor’s appointments,
chemo treatments, blood transfusions, and spinal taps.
Throughout his treatment, Evan had a great attitude and his parents tried to keep things
as “normal” as possible. The worst part for Evan was not being able to play sports,
especially baseball and golf. His goal the first year he was diagnosed was to be on the
golf course by June, and he was! During his treatment he would warm his brother up
before his baseball games, and when he was able to return to the playing himself, he was
the starting pitcher. He would have a spinal tap with chemo in the morning and be on
the ball field in the evening. Evan’s “adventure” has now come to an end and he is finally
finished with treatment!