Rhett was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma on August 24, 2022 at the height of his summer football training camp and about to start his freshman year at Don Bosco Prep High School. Rhett had been practicing and working out all summer at the highest level and feeling his best. As a starting offensive lineman and captain of his freshman football team, he was looking forward to the start of the 2022 school year and season. Things were looking pretty great! After a check up for a swollen lymph node on his neck and antibiotics not making a noticable difference. We were referred to an ENT who promptly sent us for a biopsy. We had no idea that we would be going from football scrimmages to chemo treatments overnight! With the loving support of our family and friends we have been blessed to be introduced to Rhett's amazing doctor Justine Kahn, MD at Columbia University Medical Center. She has helped us to understand and navigate what lies ahead in this journey with Hodgkins. Dr. Kahn has not only made us feel comforted but also calm in a time when things seem chaotic and very scary. Lucky for us Hodgkins is a very treatable and curable type of cancer and Rhett's prognosis is great. Rhett handled his treatments with fierce determination to get better, like he does with football! His strength, courage and positive attitude got him thru the next few months that followed along with the love and support from his DBP brothers, coaches, family & friends. We truly can’t thank each and everyone one of you enough for your loving support! He completed his chemo treatments on October 26, 2022. Rhett then underwent Proton Radiation Therapy and completed 10 treatments by December 1st! Just in time for Christmas! On Jan 4th Rhett had another PET scan and we were all beyond thrilled to hear that the past months of treatments have worked. We were able to remove the port on Jan 7th 2023. Like the true competitor he is, Rhett awoke from Surgey with a very determined message for his head football coach! He has been in the weight room training ever since! We are looking forward to getting back into normal life with our monthly visits to Columbia!
Hope & Heroes supports the life-saving work at Columbia University Medical Center, where researchers and clinicians are changing the game for children with cancer and blood disorders. Many Children we saw each week during Rhett’s treatments will have to continue on their journey's much longer then us. We've also made some new friends along the way. This amazing team also provides access to alternative medicine approaches like massage therapy, acupuncture and nutritionists. They have a wonderful art therapy instructor, educational support and therapists to help pass the time on long treatments days. Their caring family approach along with these services sets them apart! We want to raise awareness about the effects of childhood cancer and ask that you consider making a donation to this amazing organization.
Hope & Heroes creates a treatment experience that gives patients their best chance to overcome their disease without missing out on their childhoods. They also fund some of the world’s most advanced research, which benefits the children in their care and other children around the world.
Rhettstrong!
Go Bosco!
With Gratitude & Love, Rhett, Paige & Charlie Morris