E
elliottsmama
Guest
Sandwich teen needs marrow transplant
September 23, 2007
By Linda Girardi special to the beacon news
Sixteen-year-old Elliott Aldrich hasn't had much time as most teenagers to think about getting a driver's license.
The Sandwich High School sophomore and his parents have been consumed about making trips to the hospital ever since receiving a diagnosis in August that the leukemia he's battled since age 12 has returned.
With the first round of medical treatments in 2003, Elliott had to endure 150 weeks of chemotherapy and almost died twice, parents Cindy and Dan Aldrich said.
How to help
People can help the family by donating to the Elliott Aldrich Benefit Fund at Castle Bank in Sandwich, 100 W. Church St. Daily journals of Elliott's condition are posted at www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliottaldrich. Information is available on the Web site for "Envelopes for Elliott."
The thought of their son having to undergo an even more severe form of cancer treatment for the adult stage of leukemia has put the family through an emotional wringer.
"We thought we were in the clear two years ago. We were all happy and celebrated with a pig roast," Cindy Aldrich said.
But a mother's intuition began to fester when Elliott developed a fever and sore throat in mid-August. She brought him to a local doctor and it seemed as though he had gotten better.
"The leukemia has returned in another form and it's way more difficult to treat," the mother said, with a look of fear in her eyes.
"My son needs to have a bone marrow transplant."
The good news is Elliot's oncologists have found six potential matches -- three in the United States and three in Germany between the ages of 23 to 31 that they are investigating.
"One of the donors is going to save his life," the mother said.
It may be months before the bone marrow transplant. In the meantime, Elliott has had to undergo chemotherapy at Advocate Hope Children's Hospital that required him to remain in isolation for 13 days.
In recent weeks, he's undergone regular blood transfusions at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.
Doctors have informed the parents their son would be hospitalized at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago anywhere from six-months to 2 years for the bone marrow transplant.
Elliott is optimistic, "I'll be out in 2 months," he said.
"We are hoping for a miracle. He's a sweetie-pie and loved by a lot of people," his mother said. "He is handling all of this very well."
Elliot's teachers come to the house to tutor him for his schoolwork three days a week.
Cindy Aldrich, an assistant insurance underwriter, said the family's finances are strained. Dan Aldrich will be taking a leave from the real estate business to stay with his son in Chicago, leaving the family living on one income.
The family encourages donors to give at Heartland Blood Centers. "Sometimes people don't understand the importance of giving blood until they live it," the mother said.
September 23, 2007
By Linda Girardi special to the beacon news
Sixteen-year-old Elliott Aldrich hasn't had much time as most teenagers to think about getting a driver's license.
The Sandwich High School sophomore and his parents have been consumed about making trips to the hospital ever since receiving a diagnosis in August that the leukemia he's battled since age 12 has returned.
With the first round of medical treatments in 2003, Elliott had to endure 150 weeks of chemotherapy and almost died twice, parents Cindy and Dan Aldrich said.
How to help
People can help the family by donating to the Elliott Aldrich Benefit Fund at Castle Bank in Sandwich, 100 W. Church St. Daily journals of Elliott's condition are posted at www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliottaldrich. Information is available on the Web site for "Envelopes for Elliott."
The thought of their son having to undergo an even more severe form of cancer treatment for the adult stage of leukemia has put the family through an emotional wringer.
"We thought we were in the clear two years ago. We were all happy and celebrated with a pig roast," Cindy Aldrich said.
But a mother's intuition began to fester when Elliott developed a fever and sore throat in mid-August. She brought him to a local doctor and it seemed as though he had gotten better.
"The leukemia has returned in another form and it's way more difficult to treat," the mother said, with a look of fear in her eyes.
"My son needs to have a bone marrow transplant."
The good news is Elliot's oncologists have found six potential matches -- three in the United States and three in Germany between the ages of 23 to 31 that they are investigating.
"One of the donors is going to save his life," the mother said.
It may be months before the bone marrow transplant. In the meantime, Elliott has had to undergo chemotherapy at Advocate Hope Children's Hospital that required him to remain in isolation for 13 days.
In recent weeks, he's undergone regular blood transfusions at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.
Doctors have informed the parents their son would be hospitalized at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago anywhere from six-months to 2 years for the bone marrow transplant.
Elliott is optimistic, "I'll be out in 2 months," he said.
"We are hoping for a miracle. He's a sweetie-pie and loved by a lot of people," his mother said. "He is handling all of this very well."
Elliot's teachers come to the house to tutor him for his schoolwork three days a week.
Cindy Aldrich, an assistant insurance underwriter, said the family's finances are strained. Dan Aldrich will be taking a leave from the real estate business to stay with his son in Chicago, leaving the family living on one income.
The family encourages donors to give at Heartland Blood Centers. "Sometimes people don't understand the importance of giving blood until they live it," the mother said.
ride Good the media reported in a 'civil' matter. I am also pleased