Sammy

I have 6 Great Nephews and Nieces total but the one I talk about the most is Sammy.

Around Christmas 2022, my niece noticed that her son Sammy had a droopy eyelid. What would be discovered over the next couple months would rock the family’s world.

Just over 3 years old, Sammy was diagnosed with a rare pediatric cancer called AT/RT. Its main target is the brain and spinal cord/fluid. And it targets infants.

Over the last year, he’s been through a tumor resection that unfortunately also caused him to lose his eye. He’s endured intense rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. All the while still being as much of a 3 year old going on 4 year old could be.

Sammy’s a fun, smart, brave boy who will have to endure maintenance chemotherapy for a while. He has been coming back with clean scans so the chemo is doing what it needs to do.

He’s not out of the woods yet. The journey will be a long one but necessary for him as he and the family navigate through this rare cancer which leaves a lot of questions.

I have seen a totally different side of my brother when it comes to Sammy. It’s heart wrenching but it’s also one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed.

I have only been around Sammy three times in his 4 year old life. Living as far away as I do makes it challenging to get to know him. But I hope in my subsequent visits home he and I will get to have a wonderful relationship.