Last year, the two-year-old Beckett Burge was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a kind of blood cancer which begins in young white cells, located in the bone marrow.
Since the diagnosis, he has been in and out of hospital, undergoing chemotherapy, and blood and platelet transfusions. Yet, his deeply caring 14 months older sister, Aubrey, was always by his side.
Their mom Kaitlin Burge, 28, claims the siblings have grown to have an ‘incredible bond’. She explained that Aubrey sees her brother as her best friend, and prefers to stay at home with him than go out to play with her friends.
Earlier this year, the mom took a very emotional photograph of her children. As Becket leaned sick over the toilet, his sister rubbed his back in comfort while offering assistance and encouragement.
Aubrey then went to the sink to wash her hands to take her brother to the couch and offered to help with cleaning the bathroom.
Kaitlin shared the very powerful and touching photograph to emphasize the importance of family support during such hard times. She added that she took the photos in January, but they depict a “typical day in the life” for her son. He takes a chemotherapy pill every night in addition to monthly trips to a clinic where he receives chemo through a port, and chemo causes nausea.
She explained that Aubrey just picked up from experience, that when she was sick, they would rub her back and help her through it, and took over.
Afterward, she asked to clean the bathroom, but her mother told her to go and sit down because that wasn’t her job.
Kaitlin added that she is another set of eyes, as she helps all the time and makes sure everything her brother comes into contact with is clean.
When speaking of her children’s loving bond, the mom of three commented that it makes her both, happy and sad at the same time. And even though they encourage her to go outside and play with the other kids, she would rather have her eyes on Becket.
They always play together, and he plays dolls with his sister, and Aubrey plays superheroes with him.
The Beckett Strong Facebook page posted the photo of the siblings, with the honest confession of their parents, that childhood cancer affects the entire family.
The mother stated that while we hear all about the financial and medical struggles, no one mentions the struggles families with other children face. She adds that her two kids, 15 months apart, went from playing in school and at home together to sitting in a cold hospital room together.
After about a month in the hospital, Beckett came home just in time for Aubrey’s fifth birthday.
Yet, his changed appearance confused and concerned, and as she watched him struggle to walk and struggle to play, she just couldn’t understand how her previously lively, energetic, and outgoing little brother turned into a quiet, sick, and very sleepy little boy.
However, Kaitlin wrote that they believe children need support and togetherness, and should not be kept at a distance from the person who is ill.
Aubrey watched the doctors treat her brother, but she wasn’t sure what was happening, all she knew was that something was wrong with him. Then, her parents were very open with her and explained that he got really sick, but nothing anyone of them did could prevent it.
They discussed it all while Becket was in the same room with them. They even got their social worker involved. Their main goal was to make sure she is supportive, and realizes that he is not different from anyone else.
Little Becket will have two more years of chemo ahead of him, but his sister remains by his side all the time.
The family has set up a PayPal page for donations, so you can visit it if you would like to donate for the care of this little hero.
In another Facebook post, their mother expressed her gratitude to everyone. She said that she was nervous to share Beckett’s photo that went viral because of the backlash some may feel when seeing it, but she received so much positive feedback, and the photo helped to raise awareness for the little fighters, who, along with their siblings and families, face unimaginable battles on a daily basis.
Kaitlin informed everyone that Beckett will return to the clinic for chemotherapy through his port and they will begin a round of steroids. Hundreds of people thanked her for being the voice of the little warriors and expressed their support and love.
We send out prayers for this beautiful and strong family!
Sources:
iheartintelligence.com
www.facebook.com/beatitlikebeckett
q13fox.com
wcyb.com
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