"One thing they don't tell you about childhood cancer is that it affects the entire family," Kaitlin Burge, the boy's mom said.
Kaitlin Burge, the mother of Beckett, a little boy with cancer, shared a heartbreaking photo of her son being comforted by his older sister during treatment. The photo ended up getting a lot of attention for the struggles younger children with cancer face. After a protracted, draining, and difficult battle, tiny Beckett is now leukemia-free, feeling better, and attending school. That was more than two years ago.
At the age of 2, Beckett received a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia on April 25, 2018. The two siblings, who are separated by 15 months, went from playing at home to sharing a chilly hospital room. Aubrey, Beckett's sister, observed as her brother struggled to play and walk at the age of 4. In 2018, Kaitlin said to ABC, "One thing they don't tell you about childhood cancer is that it affects the entire family." The family started to share regular updates of Beckett's journey on a Facebook page called Beckett Strong.
In an interview with Brightside, the mom shared that the family found the situation to be very difficult, and the family was completely unprepared for it. But they persisted, supported one another, and took it one day at a time. “I watched my only son go through so much and still smile. I watched my sweet Aubrey push through a difficult time in her life and become so independent. She saw her best friend/brother in a state no sibling should ever have to experience,” she said.
The path was challenging with many ups and downs, but Beckett succeeded. Beckett is now cancer-free and attending school after two solid years of misery, suffering, and struggle. “He is feeling great, he is done with treatment, and is back to school, currently in the first grade.” When Beckett finished his last round of chemo and was declared cancer-free in August 2021, Kaitlin said, "We are excited, to say the least. It has been a long journey. Aubrey has been a great trooper."
Beckett acknowledges that he would not have succeeded without the support of his older sister. "She always stands up for me whenever I had cancer," said Beckett. For families going through similar struggles, Kaitlin had a very nice message of confidence. She told ABC, "Any other families that are out there going through cancer with their kids and their family members, we just want to say, 'Keep up the fight.'"
She added, "There's light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your head up. Take it one day at a time."
References:
https://www.facebook.com/beatitlikebeckett/photos/a.2258869194153999/3305530196154555/?type=3
https://www.facebook.com/beatitlikebeckett
https://abcnews.go.com/US/boy-cancer-free-years-viral-photo/story?id=80673528
Cover Image Source: Facebook | Beckett Strong
