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Grafton boy diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
by Warren Haacke, Press-News Reporter
Within minutes after entering the room for an interview at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester several things are quickly apparent. First, 11- year old Connor Gordon is a great kid.
Talking to him reveals a loving, tender spirit and all the cards, pictures and other gifts scattered around the room let you know how much Connor must mean to those that know him.
Secondly, you quickly perceive that Connor's mother Char is a thoughtful, loving and caring mom who literally hand in hand with Connor is now going through a series of chemotherapy treatments to combat Connor's Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
From her bed just several feet away from Connor's, Char and Connor are "fighting the fight" together along with their family. The closeness and bond between two are unmistakable, lots of love and caring, mixed in with moments of seriousness and laughter.
On January 28 of this year Connor, the son of Dan and Char (Scharper) Gordon of Grafton, went for an appointment with Dr. Haganman of the Mitchell County Regional Health Center. Connor had been experiencing a rash and bruising all over his body.
After having a series of lab work done, the tests revealed a diagnosis of leukemia.
The Gordons were instructed by Dr. Haganman to go to a major medical center for further testing. The family chose St. Mary's - Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. After several different kinds of tests, Connor's blood work revealed an extremely elevated level of white blood cells which doctors were certain indicated leukemia.
Connor was immediately checked into a room in the Intensive Care Unit. The room had a Hepa Filtration System that cleans the air of all bacteria.
Connor then underwent a battery of tests that confirmed the diagnosis of AML leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow. He immediately began his first round of chemotherapy. A spinal fluid test revealed that Connor does not have any leukemia cells in his spinal fluid or brain. "That was great news for us," said Char.
Needless to say since those early days, things have changed greatly for the Gordon family. "It's been hard on us as a family," said Char, " but you do what you have to in a situation like this."
Char and Dan have been staying at St. Marys with Connor while relatives look after the Gordon's other children, Codie, 13 and Carlie, 7 back home in Grafton. Dan, a farmer, will eventually have to spend more at time home as the planting season approaches. Char chose to take a leave of absence from her job at State Farm Insurance in Austin to spend time with Connor.
"It's been a huge change for us and you do get lonely at times, but we all agreed that we need to do what's best for Connor," Char said. "Dan and the kids have been coming up to Rochester to see Connor and offer support for both of us every chance they can. We're all in this together."
"We went through a wide range of emotions when we found out about Connor's illness," Char stated. "It affected family members in different ways. I'm very emotional and I was upset at first and asked "Why my son?" Codie and Carlie were kind of quiet at first and maybe didn't really understand everything. Dan was also kind of quiet at first and it took him a little longer to show his feelings."
Char continued, "You feel frustrated because you want to personally do something to help your son and you really can't. Once you understand the medical procedures and talk to the doctors, you then start focusing on treatment and you get into a routine and kind of know what to expect. It's still hard, but you take things "one step at a time" which is one of our sayings we now live by."
Both Connor and Char have done extensive research via books, the Internet and other sources in an attempt to be informed about Connor's disease and the methods of treatment.
Connor is going to have to undergo five rounds of chemotherapy to properly get the leukemia into a state of long-term remission. That probably means Connor will spend 6-7 months at St. Marys if things go well. So far, the doctors are very optimistic and pleased with Connor's progress after two rounds of chemotherapy. The first round lasted 33 days. "That was a long time and it was quite a change for Connor to be in one room for that long of a period of time," said Char.
Despite the optimism, there have been a few setbacks. "The hardest thing so far was the fact that no one in our family was found to be a match for Connor in case we would need a bone marrow transplant," Char said. "I prayed hard that I would be that match or at least a member of our family would, but it wasn't meant to be. I shed a few tears because of that."
Char continued, "If we need a donor, it will have to come from the national donor bank, but we're hoping and praying that the five rounds of chemotherapy does it's job and we won't need a donor."
Char can't express strongly enough her feelings regarding the help of friends, family and community and area people during Connor's treatment. "I couldn't even begin to name everyone who has helped out," she said. "Connor's classmates have done so many projects and fundraisers, selling items, having raffles and many other things. It's been amazing. Other community, school and church groups have also donated money, sold tee-shirts (with the inscription "Kick it Connor"), made bracelets, sold cookie dough, you name it. It's been overwhelming and humbling for our family." In fact the family had to take boxes and boxes of cards and items home because Connor's room was getting so crowded.
"We've had people we don't even know donate money, gas cards, phone cards and other things," Char said. We just can't say enough "thank-yous". Small town people are just wonderful in the way they take care of their own and help out."
In fact, friends and community members are holding a special fund raiser raffle for Connor on Saturday, April 12 at the Grafton Community Center from 4-7 p.m. The event will include a raffle, a live auction and children's carnival.
Connor hopes he can be there, but if not the hospital has a satellite system that can project Connor on a large screen at the event.
"At first it was kind of hard to accept people's help because you think you can get by and you feel someone else probably deserves more help than you," said Char. "But then you have to realize people love you and want to help and you have to honor their wishes."
"Connor is a very special young man," Char said. "He's kind of a jokester and likes to make everyone feel good. I know many of his classmates and other friends really miss him and he misses them too."
"Connor has been talking to the "Make a Wish" foundation and his original wish was that we get enough money to pay his bills and then have money left over to pay back everyone who has helped us", said Char. "That's the kind of kid Connor is."
Connor is keeping up on his schooling with the aid of a tutor, Nancy Johnson, who comes in four times a week for 1 1/2 sessions.
"Connor is so anxious to get back to school and see his friends," Char said. "He misses them very much."
Connor also welcomes visitors to his room. "We have just been overwhelmed by the number of people who have paid Connor a visit," said Char.
Many people have used the website www.caringbridge.org to keep in contact with Connor and the Gordon family. "It is a great way for our family to keep in contact with people and keep people updated about Connor's condition," Char said.
"Connor's illness has taught everyone in our family some valuable lessons," said Char. "I know personally I've learned to slow down and cherish life and my family. I'm a "goer" who is always doing something. I've learned to set my priorities and find more time for family." We've all come to realize that life is short and you have to cherish every day."
"Our faith has also become stronger through this," Char said. She smiled at Connor and said, "We pray a lot don't we?"
As the interview wound down, Char and Connor had some final thoughts. "I know Codie, Carlie and Dan really miss Connor and I and are anxious for things to return to normal. It hasn't been easy. Dan keeps saying, "Don't worry, things will work out." I really believe that. You have to."
" Our family really thanks everyone for everything they've done for us. I tell anyone who asks what they can do to help to "Pray for us."
Connor probably summed it up best for the Gordon family when asked his thoughts concerning his illness. "I'm looking forward to being home by June and I'm going to stay positive." Like I said before he's a great kid.
BENEFITS SLATED
A special fund raiser raffle for Connor Gordon will be held on Saturday, April 12 at the Grafton Community Center from 4-7 p.m. The event will include a raffle, a live auction and children's carnival.
Also, a bone marrow drive for Connor will be conducted April 7 from 5-7 p.m. at the County Extension Building in Osage. People wishing to donate bond marrow samples must be from ages 18-60. Contact Tracy Scharper at 732-1243.
Story created Mar 18, 2008 - 10:51:29 CDT.
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