Team Jackson Fights Cancer – Colorado Family Photographer

I have worked with families from Make A Wish and Tiny Sparrow for a few years now. This Friday I worked with a family that contacted me directly two weeks ago and requested family photographs with a baby fighting terminal childhood cancer; I was so honored. We met in Boulder and I had a profound feeling of love as I was pulling in. God and love, was all around us.  Before we got started, 1 year old Jackson nursed and held tight to his bink and his mama. He wasn’t very comfortable in his earthly body especially in the heat of the summer air, I tried to honor the beauty of his life and his family of 5. Please keep the Patterson Family in your love and prayers.

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In November 2014, we took Jackson, then 11 months old, into the doctor over concerns that his once cute little belly had grown rapidly.  
Jackson showed no signs of being sick or in pain and we tried telling ourselves that we were probably overreacting.  A day after our appointment with our family doctor, we heard the words that no parent ever expects to hear, “I’m sorry, Jackson has a tumor”.  We were sent immediately to Children’s Hospital Colorado and consulted with the amazing doctors and nurses in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
In the long days that followed, our sweet boy endured a lung biopsy, CT Scan, PET Scan, MRI and central line placement.  The scans revealed that in addition to a large abdominal tumor, the cancer had spread to his lungs as well.  The primary tumor, because of it’s large size, was considered inoperable.
It wasn’t until the biopsy results were back that we were given even harder news.  Not only did Jackson have cancer but his particular type of tumor is called a Rhabdoid Tumor, a very rare, highly aggressive form of pediatric cancer.  We were told that Jackson had a very low chance of surviving the disease.
After taking a few moments to process what we had been told, we decided to take the only option available to us – fight!  Jackson then began a year long course of aggressive chemotherapy.  Through it all, Jackson has displayed incredible strength and resilience.  The support and comfort given to us by the staff at Children’s Hospital Colorado has been incredible.  We consider ourselves blessed to have such skilled medical professionals so close by.
In January 2015, we received our first positive news since our diagnosis:  the chemotherapy appeared to be working.  In February 2015, Jackson underwent surgery to remove the tumor from his abdomen. He has made an amazing recovery from surgery and grew stronger every day.  

Jackson had a follow up appointment a few days ago ( July 2015) from his recent admission to the hospital. His nausea has not subsided and he requires a small amount of oxygen continuously now. His doctor told us that he heard back from Saint Jude’s Hospital and learned that Jackson is not eligible for participation in the clinical trial because his cancer is so widespread. There are no other viable treatment options available to us. In consultation with his doctor, Jackson will immediately begin Hospice care at home. There is no way for us to know exactly how much time Jackson has left but we will make the most of it.