Peyton’s Neuroblastoma Fight

10/29/2026

10/29/26 — Scan Day Journal 🎗️❤️
Whew, what a day! 😅 If there’s one thing we’ve learned it’s that medical life rarely goes according to plan. Peyton was scheduled to check in at 8 AM with scans beginning at 10 AM. Well… that plan quickly went out the window. 🫠Right when I got her loaded in the car this morning, Peyton started feeling nauseous. Without thinking twice, I let her have one tiny bite of a banana, hoping it would settle her stomach. BIG mom fail. 🤦🏼‍♀️ My brain was literally all over the place this morning. I had completely forgot JUST how much was needed for a hospital visit- extra clothing for her, a pull up for sedation, tablet, wagon, special pillow and stuffies, nasal spray so the hospital wouldn’t charge us for theirs during sedation, the list goes on!! We used to just have a bag ready to go and all it took was 3 months to forget how much preparation this lifestyle requires.
Because Peyton has to be sedated for her MRI, that one bite meant her scans had to be pushed back until 3 PM. I won’t lie, I was frustrated at first. I had mentally prepared ourselves for this morning, and the thought of waiting several more hours for something we’ve already been anxiously anticipating was overwhelming. I was not prepared to spend allll day here. Her tablet wasn’t charged long enough for that, I didn’t bring any activities for her to play with, and just the mental toll of trying to distract a toddler for hourssss while all they simply want is food is HARD💔 In my mind, one bite of banana didn’t seem like that big of a deal. But as the morning went on, I reminded myself that sometimes things happen for a reason. The team was simply doing everything they could to keep Peyton safe. We learned that the hospital recently had another child aspirate during sedation, resulting in a PICU stay. Understandably, everyone was being extra cautious. And when I really thought about it, I couldn’t be upset about that. The last thing we need is another complication or another hospital stay. We’ve had more than enough of those. Her safety was top priority. So instead of getting upset about the delay, I’m choosing to be thankful that they’re putting her safety first. And thankfully, we were still able to get her scans done today rather than having to reschedule completely. BUTTTT Her MRI didn’t actually get started until around 4pm😵‍💫😓and will take about an hour to complete. By the time she wakes up, finally gets some solid food and liquid in her tummy we will be more than ready to be home and ready for bed 😴😴Because of how late it is in the day we won’t know the results before leaving. Just wanted to update everyone on the day because we know just how loved our little girl is🫶🏻🎗️💛

10/29/2026

10/28/26 The night before scans🥲🎗️
Movie night, hot cocoa, cozy blankets, and our little family all together. ❤️
Because tomorrow, we walk back into a world we wish we never had to know. A world of scans, IV pokes, blood draws, holding our child down as she begs us to stop, waiting, worrying, and praying that the life we’ve slowly started putting back together doesn’t get turned upside down again. It’s such a strange feeling to sit on the couch, laughing with your kids, while there’s a knot in your stomach that just won’t go away. Wanting so badly to be fully present in the moment, but knowing what tomorrow holds. I look at Peyton and see this happy, silly little girl who has absolutely no idea how much fear her mom and dad carry- good, I never want our girls to see the fear we carry. A little girl who fills our world with so much laughter, sass, and personality. And I find myself praying over and over that cancer never steals that spark from her again.. So tonight, we’re holding our girls a little closer, soaking in every giggle, and praying with everything we have that tomorrow brings good news. Because we’ve already watched our little girl fight for her life once, and all we want now is to watch her live it. 🙏🎗️💛💪

10/27/2026

It’s hard to believe there’s only about a year between these pictures. To most people, they’re just updated family photos. But to us, they’re a reminder of everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve almost lost, and just how precious these ordinary moments really are.
A year ago,we had no idea what was coming. We had no clue there was a massive tumor growing inside our 2-year-old’s body😭 Today, we know just how quickly life can change.
Same family. A lifetime of battles fought in under a year. A completely different perspective on life. 🫶🏻💛🎗️💪

10/22/2026

10/22/26
🎗️ A little update on PeyPey 💛
We received her abdominal ultrasound results, and thankfully, no significant abnormalities or masses were identified! 🙌🏼 While this is reassuring news, we still don’t have an explanation for the ongoing belly pain she’s been experiencing. Right now working it up as bad constipation. The ultrasound primarily looked at her abdominal organs, meaning it doesn’t necessarily rule out issues involving her intestines or potential complications from her extensive abdominal surgery. Peyton continues to struggle with belly pain and constipation(going on a couple of weeks now). She’s been having difficulty going to the bathroom, despite trying multiple times😓. Her oncology team has increased her MiraLAX in hopes of getting things moving again. Yesterday they said increase to 2x/ daily, but after updating them today that Peyton had zero bowel movements yesterday they are wanting to increase it to 3x/daily with lactulose prescribed if no bowel movements happen. Because of the extent of her surgery in May, it’s hard to not think something underlying is happening. Constipation like this is not typical for Peyton whatsoever😓. She’s uncomfortable and we want nothing more than for her to get relief. I can’t imagine how it feels to go this long without a normal bowel movement. We are hopeful that next week’s MRI can give us more answers or clarity- such as internal scar tissue (adhesions), or issues with how her bowels are moving. The MRI will give her doctors a more detailed look at the area where her tumor was removed, surrounding tissues, and anything that may not have been visible on ultrasound.We’re incredibly thankful that nothing concerning showed up on her ultrasound, but it’s also hard watching her continue to hurt without knowing exactly why. We’ve learned throughout this journey is that even when the cancer is “gone”, the effects of everything her little body has endured doesn’t necessarily disappear.
We’re praying for relief for our girl and continued clear scans. 💛🎗️💪

10/21/2026

10/21/26
Today, Peyton had abdominal ultrasound after experiencing ongoing belly pain, bowel changes, and a palpable area that seems new. Her scheduled 3 month surveillance testing isn’t until next week, but given her history they ordered an ultrasound to be safe🙏
The emotional toll of testing is so hard to put into words. It’s watching your baby lie on that table again, silently praying for good news. It’s studying every movement of the ultrasound probe, noticing when the technician might spend extra time near the area where her tumor once was, and trying not to let your mind go to the worst places. It’s the waiting, the uncertainty, and the fear that comes rushing back with every new symptom. It’s our girls pinky promising each other this morning that they will see each other again very soon. It’s our 3 year old asking to play “hallelujah” in the car on the way to her scan to “pray away her cancer”. It’s all the things our young kids shouldn’t even have to worry about, yet this is their reality 💔 It’s the drive home when the tears can finally fall after putting a brave face on for everyone. Cancer changes everything. Every scan brings back a chapter of our lives we desperately wish we could close.
Now we wait, pray, and hold on to hope for reassuring answers🙏 . 🎗️💪💛

10/10/2026

10/10/26 Introducing PeyPey’s Playdoh and Play Co. 💗💛🎨
It’s scan month, which means my anxiety is officially running on overdrive🫨I was looking at the calendar to see Peyton’s scans fall right before Halloween. And while I can’t control what those scans will show, I can control where I put some of this nervous energy. One thing I’ve learned throughout this journey is that sometimes the best way for me to cope with the fear and uncertainty is to pour my energy into something positive. Knowing that so many children won’t get to experience a typical Halloween or holiday celebration because they’re spending it in the hospital really hits home after walking in those shoes ourselves.
After spending so much time in the hospital with Peyton, I’ve seen firsthand how much the smallest things can mean to a child. Something as simple as a new toy, a little surprise, or for Peyton, a container of Play-Doh can bring a moment of happiness in the middle of some really hard days. So instead of letting scanxiety completely consume me this month, I’m choosing to turn some of that worry into something good. And that’s how PeyPey’s Playdoh and Play Co. is coming to life. 💗A little project inspired by a little girl who has been through more than most adults, with the hope of bringing some extra joy to other children walking a similar road. We can’t wait to see where this little idea takes us! 💛 If you would like to donate to the supplies/ toys that will be donated you can on Venmo
💪💛🎗️

10/08/2026

Chemo curls are coming in full swing these days 🫶🏻🥹I absolutely adore her new curls, but there's a part of me that aches seeing this “new” Peyton emerge. It's a strange feeling to be so thankful for the regrowth while still grieving another piece of the little girl she was before all of this. 💛🎗️💪

10/07/2026

Please keep this sweet boy and his mama in your prayers! I can’t even imagine the pain he is experiencing! Our oncologist told us about a hall at MSK referred to as the hall of screams due to how painful this immunotherapy is and just how brutal neuroblastoma treatment can be💔💔 seeing just a little glimpse of
kids go through this absolutely tears me apart!!💔💔 This mama not only travels numerous times to MSK to help give her kiddo the best treatment possible, but she is a single mom, with no other choice of the older one having to stay back home while they temporarily relocate to New York for his treatment. The whole family has sooo much on their plate as they continue to battle this awful cancer for over 17 months and counting now!💔💔 cancer sucks!!!

today was horrific. There really isn’t another word for it

For almost an hour, I watched Atlas writhe and scream in pain during his naxitamab infusion. He was trying to make himself throw up multiple times, just because he thought it would help him feel better. All I could do was sit there, and hold him feeling completely helpless because there was nothing I could do to make it stop.

His team in NYC was on it. He had child life, massage therapy, his nurse practitioner and doctor in the room for an hour. They were all rubbing his back, switching between hot & cold packs. Then rubbing my back too, as I just couldn't handle it. Nothing could have prepared me.

His team made the correct call in Gaia staying home, even though it breaks my heart.

They have consulted with psych as we all suspect Atlas has PTSD. He has one in IA, but he needs one here also.

I knew pain was expected with this treatment. I just don’t think I understood what that actually meant until I watched my child go through it.

His pain medication wasn’t enough, so they’re adding ketamine for the next infusion and I’m praying it makes a difference because I cannot imagine watching him go through another hour like that.

There is something so messed up about knowing the medicine you’re allowing them to put into your child’s body to fight his cancer is also the reason he’s screaming and writhing in pain, begging me to go home.

I’ve watched Atlas go through so much, but today just absolutely broke me. Sitting right next to your child while he’s in that much pain and not being able to take it away is a kind of helplessness I don’t even know how to explain

This is the part of childhood cancer people don’t see. Sometimes, almost always- the treatment that’s supposed to save your baby’s life is absolutely brutal and traumatic. There's no way around it.

https://gofund.me/4417e78f7

10/02/2026

🎗️ For every kid who has fought, is fighting, or will fight childhood cancer. 💛 These shirts aren’t about one child, one diagnosis, or one hospital. They’re for all of our kids and the families whose lives have been forever changed by childhood cancer.
🗽To our MSK family and all the incredible cancer families we’ve met along the way — this one is for you, too. 💛
‼️‼️PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO MSK‼️‼️

Local peeps⏩️ there are Wichita - only shirts too! So something for everyone ☺️
A young group of local college students created this fundraiser for one of their classes, but most importantly to spread awareness and give back 💛🥹🫶🏻

10/01/2026

Today is October 1.

The day the world turns pink and people everywhere unite for a cause. (Yay- awareness for all cancer is deserved!)

Companies pump out the pink products and rake in the profits with little, if anything, going to "the cure."

I hope you notice the difference.

I hope you learned something from September.

I hope I made you uncomfortable.

I hope you're able to acknowledge the lack of basically everything for our kids and then the vastly different situation you'll see in October.

I hope that you can take a minute to ponder how that would make you feel if it was your child fighting cancer. I hope it makes you as sick as it makes me.

Today, in the US, we spend 20X more on potato chips than pediatric cancer research.
We spend 2x more on halloween costumes for our damn dogs.

And even worse.....
In THREE DAYS we spend, at STARBUCKS, what
the NCI allocates to fund pediatric cancer research in a YEAR. 🤮🤬

PLEASE get pi**ed off. Be A Voice. Donate
Because 4% is NOT enough.
💛🎗️💪