Trace's fight against T-cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia & Mediastinal Mass

11/12/2025

Tomorrow morning, Trace and his dad will head to Atlanta for Trace’s oncology appointment and chemotherapy. We already received some bloodwork results that have us feeling nervous and anxious to hear more about. Then on Thursday, Jordan and I will head down for two appointments we’ve been waiting on for over a month.

To be honest, the anxiety has been heavy lately. It has driven Dave and me crazy just thinking about what’s ahead for both of our kids this week. We’re praying for good news and for calm hearts. 💛

Please keep Trace and Jordan in your thoughts and prayers these next few days. Our family truly appreciates every bit of love and support.

🩷Rachael

11/10/2025

Please be on the lookout for our pup Bodhi! Very sweet baby! Lost off Pleasant Hill Rd.

11/04/2025

Thank you for all the text messages, phone calls, and prayers over the last week or so! Our family is so thankful that all this sickness is finally starting to pass.

Trace and I were at Arthur Blank today visiting the hematology side of life, which, to be honest, completely stinks. I’m hopeful that the testing they did today will give us better insight into what’s been going on with Trace.

We are truly grateful and so blessed for everyone around us. Your love and support mean more than words can say.

🧡Rachael

10/16/2025

Sweet pups!!

10/16/2025

Trace is home and resting. He is out with his dad as we speak so he is feeling pretty good today! The next few days are usually filled with a lot of fatigue, but we’re so thankful everything went smoothly. He gained 13 pounds (!!), his bloodwork looked great, and his spine is still clear of any growing cancer cells.

We also received some news about Jordan that we’re still trying to digest. It’s been a lot to take in, but we’re holding onto hope and faith as we figure out the next steps for her. 💜

We are so thankful for the Ronald McDonald House and everything they continue to do for families like ours. The kids especially loved the visit from the therapy dogs this week, such a bright spot in a long journey!

💛 Please remember to save your coke can tabs, soup can tabs, and dog and cat food tabs! I can take them to the school, and they donate the cash earned straight back to the Ronald McDonald House to help families in need. Every little bit truly makes a difference!

Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and support. Our family feels it every single day.

Rachael

#18 Here We Come!

Less than 10 to go until we finally reach the finish line of spinal taps! When I think back to the day we first heard Trace would have to go through 26 of them, I remember feeling so defeated and heartbroken. And now…here we are. Almost to the end.

We are headed down to Atlanta today, as a family, for Trace’s appointment tomorrow morning, which will include his 18th spinal tap with chemo injected into his spine, along with other chemotherapy treatments. He’s been on steroids the past couple of months, which has caused some swelling, so please say a little extra prayer that everything goes smoothly and they’re able to complete the spinal without any issues.

It’s been a long while since Jordan has been able to come down with us, and it makes my heart happy having her come this time. 💛 She’ll also be having her own x-rays and bloodwork for her arthritis tomorrow, so it’s a big day for both of them.

We are forever grateful to the Ronald McDonald House for taking such good care of us over the last two years. Unless you’ve stayed there yourself, it’s hard to truly understand the love and kindness that fill those walls. They have been such a blessing to our family, just like all of you who continue to lift us up in prayer and support.

Thank you all for walking this journey with us. We feel your love every step of the way.

🧡 Rachael

09/17/2025

Update on Trace 💛

We came down yesterday afternoon for today’s appointment, and I finally get to share some good news! Trace gained 7.2 lbs! 🙌 His blood pressure was very high, but his PCP recently started him on a couple of months of steroids for the rash that came back, and his oncologist agreed that’s likely the cause but they are needed at this time.

His bloodwork came back excellent! His oncologist is slowly increasing his chemo dosages. His body is still recovering from all the sicknesses over the past couple of months, so a full dosage isn’t possible just yet, but at least we are moving in the right direction.

We also got the results from Trace’s genetic testing. They looked at everything—his Kawasaki Disease, history of 4 aneurysms around his heart, bicuspid aortic valve, history of blood clots, seizure history as a child, his mediastinal mass, and of course his T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Results showed no genetic mutation passed down through our family history caused any of this, which is such a relief. 🙏 They did find a mutation related to his seizures, so he’ll be referred to a neurologist for more answers about epilepsy and whether it could carry into adulthood. His oncologist feels good about it since he’s had zero seizures through chemo and spinal taps (which is a huge side effect risk), but we’ll check with the neurologist just to confirm.

Trace will return next month for his 18th spinal tap with chemo injected into his spine, along with other treatments. For now, he’s getting chemo and his flu shot today, and then we’re heading home.

We’re also really looking forward to supporting his sister on October 4th for her Arthritis Walk! 💜 She inspires us every day with her strength, and it means so much to be able to cheer her on. https://events.arthritis.org/teams/39316

My heart is so relieved today! 💛

09/01/2025

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 💛🎗️

I used to listen to the St. Jude telethon fundraiser on my way to work, year after year, bawling my eyes out but thinking that would never happen to my family.

Not long after, I found myself sitting in the family room at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, watching that same commercial in complete shock. I’ll never forget leaving that room, walking straight into Trace’s hospital room, and hugging him so tight.

Unless you’ve walked this road with your own child, truly grasping the magnitude of what it feels like is not an option. Childhood cancer changes everything in an instant.

So please, hug your children, hold them close, and tell them how wonderful they are, every single day, multiple times a day. 💛 Life can change in an instant!

Thank you to Cody Short & Brother Band for this picture & memory!!

08/21/2025

Yesterday was a long day, but it was one we all needed, especially Trace. His counts looked better, so his oncologist was able to increase his at-home chemo. His spinal tap went great, and the results showed no cancer cells in his spine. 🙌 He still has nine spinal taps to go, but when we think about the fact that he just had his 17th, it feels like such a victory. We are so thankful for every single call, text, comment, and prayer that has lifted our family up. Your love carries us through.

🧡Rachael

Quick update!

It’s been an interesting month in our world. Between depleted blood counts, a relapse scare, two long weeks of bubble life, and an ER visit this past Friday, Trace has been through a lot. He’s been stressed, but as always, he’s shown incredible strength.

Tonight, Trace and I, are heading back down for a big day tomorrow (oncology appointment, a spinal tap with chemo into his spine, two additional chemo infusions, and a 4-hour IVIG infusion). It’s a lot for him, but if anyone can do it, it’s Trace.

Dave and Jordan will be home, holding down the fort and cheering Trace on from afar. Please keep our boy close in your prayers and cross your fingers for better results tomorrow.

🧡Rachael

08/19/2025

Quick update!

It’s been an interesting month in our world. Between depleted blood counts, a relapse scare, two long weeks of bubble life, and an ER visit this past Friday, Trace has been through a lot. He’s been stressed, but as always, he’s shown incredible strength.

Tonight, Trace and I, are heading back down for a big day tomorrow (oncology appointment, a spinal tap with chemo into his spine, two additional chemo infusions, and a 4-hour IVIG infusion). It’s a lot for him, but if anyone can do it, it’s Trace.

Dave and Jordan will be home, holding down the fort and cheering Trace on from afar. Please keep our boy close in your prayers and cross your fingers for better results tomorrow.

🧡Rachael

08/10/2025

Trace Update & Old picture alert! 🥰

Wednesday’s labs brought us a little ray of sunshine! His numbers are slightly better than last week, and we’ll celebrate any step in the right direction! My boy is back on his nightly chemo, but for now, he’s still in his little “bubble” until we head to Arthur M. Blank on August 20th.

That day will be a big one! He’ll get an IVIG treatment to help his immune system, and if his bloodwork says he’s strong enough, he’ll have his 17th spinal tap with chemo into his spine, plus another chemo infusion.

He’s still so tired, with a little cough and rash, but goodness, he keeps showing me what strength looks like. He may be home while Jordan’s starting middle school and I’m at the elementary school, but he’s always in my heart.

Trace, you amaze me every single day. One day at a time, my sweet boy! We’ve got this. Thank you, family, and friends, for every prayer, every check-in, and every ounce of love you send our way.

🧡Rachael

08/02/2025

Trace Update 🧡

Thank you for everyone for the overwhelming support we have received. We are so blessed as a family!

This past Wednesday, Trace had local bloodwork done, and unfortunately, the results were not favorable. His oncologist explained that since his cytometry came back negative for new cancer cells (thankfully!), we’re most likely looking at one of two things:
– His body is trying to fight off a virus that hasn’t fully hit yet
– Or his body simply needs time to recover from the recent rounds of chemotherapy

For now, the plan is for Trace to stay in a “bubble” for the next week. No school, no work, no visitors. Just rest, lots of hydration, healthy meals, and most importantly, no chemo (at home or inpatient) for the second week in a row.

He’s currently very congested, which may point to a virus trying to settle in. If he spikes a fever, we’ll head straight back to Atlanta.

We’ll repeat labs next Wednesday and go from there.

Please continue to keep Trace in your prayers, for healing, strength, and peace of mind. He’s been through so much, and we’re so proud of how strong he continues to be.

🧡Rachael