Childhood Cancer Warrior: Colton
As told by his mother
Colton is a smart, athletic, and dynamic 14 year old that was challenged with fighting cancer at the age of 11. He had recently been elected Student Body President for his elementary school. He was busy playing the sports he loved……basketball, flag football, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. In addition, he was moving up the ranks in Scouting towards being an Eagle Scout.
Then, October 2021 happened! Our world was turned upside down. Colton was playing basketball and complained afterwards his left ear sounded muffled. At the time, with all the concerns with COVID, we assumed it was his version of COVID. However, when he wasn’t positive for COVID and the left ear still wasn’t improving, we took him to the pediatrician on 10/7/2021. From there, our world started to unravel; the ear had fluid in it but wasn’t infected. However, when Colton opened up for the doctor to investigate his mouth/throat, his uvula shot over to the right from a bulging mass which also was plugging his eustachian tube causing the fluid in his ear. At that point, we still were not thinking cancer at all.
However, over the next few weeks, it was identified to be Stage III Rhabdomyosarcoma in his nasal/sinus area. What to do? Colton was healthy, how could this happen! After a stressful 2-3 weeks of going to many specialists including ENTs, surgeons, oncologists and having 2 biopsies, several scans etc across the Phoenix metro area as well as seeking input from families who have been down this road before. We reached out to St Jude for guidance and thankfully Colton was accepted to be treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Colton and I moved to Memphis for 10 months for intense treatment including 7 weeks of radiation and 10 months of chemotherapy. There were many tough days during his treatment at St. Jude but Colton persevered through it all with a positive attitude! We then moved back to Phoenix and he continued 6 months of maintenance chemotherapy at Phoenix Children’s Hospital which was less intense and allowed him to attend school and get back to somewhat being kid again. Colton completed his treatment February 9, 2023 and is considered to be in remission. Colton remained positive through the whole process and never once asked “Why me?” but he did say, “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy!” He has a kind, compassion heart and was more worried about his brothers and friends during this time than he was about himself.
During our time in Memphis, my husband stayed in Phoenix with our 2 older sons to allow them to go on with school as ‘normal’. There really wasn’t anything normal about what our family went through. Unfortunately, there are too many families that do the same as we did. We were able to see each other a few times during those 10 months. Throughout the many months our family was separated, I kept thinking we need something to look forward to, something besides the what-if’s of cancer but we didn’t dare plan anything because of the too many unknowns.
This all changed with a trip to the Memphis Zoo to an event that Sky High for Kids put on for St. Jude patients in summer of 2022. Colton had been through another round of chemo but was getting to his better days where he felt like doing something so I was excited we were able to attend the Sky High event. Sky High brought a smile and positivity to everyone who joined that day! Everyone at Sky High made us feel so welcome! Colton was doing a craft with one of the volunteers while I sat back and just observed all the excitement Sky High had created for so many kids. I met a very engaging volunteer who showed true passion on not only helping kids with cancer but helping find a cure for pediatric cancer. Brittany Hebert Franklin! Honestly, that day, I had no idea she started it all for Sky High for Kids but I knew she was determined to make a difference and has in many ways! After Colton finished his craft, he and I grabbed lunch and found a table to sit down with a few others. Brittany came and joined us. She started to ask Colton all kinds of questions and found he had 2 older brothers who she could tell he missed tremendously.
We had been away from home over 7 months at that point and had only seen them 3 times. She asked him, once your treatment is over what is something you would like to do with your brothers to celebrate. Colton said, “it would be really cool to go to a Super Bowl”. Brittany replied, “let me see what the Sky High team can do!” Well! We feel very fortunate that Sky High sent our family to the Super Bowl February 12, 2023. This was a MAJOR celebration weekend as Colton took his last dose of chemo February 9, 2023. After a rough 1.5 years for our entire family, we all celebrated and thoroughly enjoyed making a life-time memory while attending the Super Bowl and the VIP treatment that Sky High provided that weekend!
Today, Colton continues to deal with the after effects of the cancer treatment but thankfully shows no signs of cancer. He continues to amaze us with his determination in school, scouts, and sports. In addition, he was voted again to be Student Body President at his middle school in the Fall of 2023 and earned his Eagle Scout rank on December 14, 2023 at the age of 13.
We believe in the power of prayer and Gods powerful healing! He answered prayers in healing Colton through the great care at St Jude and introducing us to Sky High for Kids who is making a huge impact to Pediatric Cancer!