Member of the Month June 2024
Cohen Earley
Our Member of the Month this month is Cohen Earley.
In 2020, Cohen was diagnosed with stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of four. The onset of the COVID-19 lockdown coincided with the beginning of his treatment, necessitating immediate isolation and the commencement of intense chemotherapy.
Within two weeks of starting the treatment, Cohen experienced significant side effects, including severe hair loss. One of the most challenging complications was severe mucositis, which rendered him unable to eat or drink. To ensure he received the necessary daily nutritional intake to combat the disease, a nasogastric (NG) tube was inserted.
The process of treatment was traumatic for Cohen, compounded by the frequent COVID-19 swabs and regular G-CSF injections. He was highly susceptible to infections, which he contracted often, and due to the pandemic, he faced these challenges in isolation at the hospital, without the comfort of visitors.
Upon completing the intense chemotherapy regimen, Cohen underwent surgery to remove the sarcoma from his leg, which involved the excision of three-quarters of his calf muscle. Following the surgery, he began a six-week course of radiotherapy. After this phase of treatment, Cohen entered a period of maintenance chemotherapy that lasted for 12 months. During this time, he began to show signs of recovery: his hair started to grow back, the NG tube was removed, and he regained his energy. Cohen also resumed attending school, marking a significant milestone in his return to normalcy.
As of now, Cohen has been in remission for two years and six months. He is thriving both academically and in sports, displaying remarkable resilience and strength. To monitor his health, Cohen undergoes quarterly MRI scans, a process he faces with notable bravery, staying awake and still for up to an hour at a time. Cohen’s journey, marked by courage and determination, has made him a hero in the eyes of those who know his story.
“[Cohen] is growing into a kind, funny, caring young man now – he is age 8 going on 18! He loves life and he’s so creative; he loves drawing, making anything out of any box or toilet roll he can get his hands on. His beads have helped him get through his treatment. He loves his glow-in-the-dark beads that he received for the 26 Radiotherapy sessions”
