Yesterday, our world changed in the most unimaginable way. What began as a seemingly simple stomach ache for our son, Cylus, quickly escalated into something far more serious. A routine day, filled with laughter and play, turned into a blur of hospital corridors, white coats, and the sharp smell of antiseptic. In the span of a few hours, our lives shifted from normalcy to uncertainty, from comfort to fear.
The doctors delivered news that no parent ever wants to hear: Cylus has been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a cancer that affects young children and spreads rapidly if not treated. In that moment, the walls of the hospital seemed to close in around us. Words felt inadequate. Tears flowed freely. Our little boy, who only yesterday was climbing stairs, laughing at cartoons, and asking for one more bedtime story, was now facing a battle we could hardly comprehend.
Despite our fear, what struck us immediately was Cylus’s courage. Even as the doctors explained the procedures ahead—biopsies, scans, and other interventions—he listened quietly, his small hands clutching his favorite stuffed animal. There was a fragility to him, a delicate vulnerability, yet a strength that seemed far beyond his years. Watching him face needles, tests, and unfamiliar machines without losing his composure left us in awe. He is fragile, yes, but he is also remarkably resilient.
Each test felt like a journey into the unknown. The scans revealed more questions than answers. The biopsies, though painful and invasive, were met with a bravery that made our hearts swell with pride and ache with sorrow at the same time. Cylus is learning, even at this tender age, that strength is not the absence of fear but the decision to move forward in spite of it. And as his parents, we realized that our own strength was intertwined with his. Every smile he managed, every word he whispered, reminded us that we needed to hold on, not just for ourselves, but for him.
In the hospital room, amidst the hum of machines and the soft footsteps of nurses, there is a new rhythm to our lives. Medications must be administered on time. Monitors must be checked. Questions must be asked and answers carefully weighed. Each day brings its own set of challenges, each night its own fears. Yet, within this whirlwind, Cylus shines as a beacon of hope. His laughter, when it comes, feels like sunlight breaking through a stormy sky.
We have seen moments of doubt, moments when the weight of the situation threatens to overwhelm us. But in those moments, Cylus teaches us more than any textbook or doctor ever could. He teaches us patience, resilience, and the power of hope. He reminds us to find joy in the smallest victories: a successful scan, a calm night, a gentle hug. These moments, though fleeting, carry more meaning now than we ever imagined.
As parents, we have also faced the difficult task of managing our own emotions. Fear is constant, anxiety a shadow that follows us through every corridor. Sleepless nights are common, filled with worry and whispered prayers. But alongside the fear, there is also determination. Determination to research treatments, to ask questions, to advocate for Cylus at every turn. Determination to ensure that he knows, every single day, that he is not alone, that we will be by his side through every challenge, every needle, every procedure.
Cylus’s diagnosis has also shown us the depth of human compassion. Friends, family, and even strangers have reached out, offering support, sharing prayers, and lending strength when our own feels thin. Messages of encouragement arrive daily, each one a reminder that love is not bound by proximity or familiarity. In these gestures, we find comfort, a collective hope that carries us forward when the path feels impossible.
This journey is not just about survival—it is about the way we choose to live, even in the face of hardship. Cylus has taught us that courage is not a grand gesture but a series of small, steadfast choices: choosing to smile after a procedure, choosing to hold still during a scan, choosing to ask for his favorite toy when he feels scared. Each choice, though simple, is monumental in the context of his illness.
We are learning to celebrate victories that once would have seemed ordinary. A calm night, a hearty meal, or even a moment of laughter between procedures now feels extraordinary. And with each small victory, our hope grows, unshakable and fierce. Cylus is a warrior in every sense, confronting challenges far beyond what any child should face, and he does so with a lightness and bravery that inspires everyone around him.ư
The road ahead is uncertain. Treatments will be long and taxing, both physically and emotionally. We know there will be setbacks, moments of despair, and nights where hope feels distant. But for every moment of fear, there is a moment of love. For every tear shed, there is a hug, a smile, a shared heartbeat that reminds us why we fight. And at the center of it all is Cylus, our guiding light, teaching us what it means to face adversity with courage.
As we walk this path with him, we ask for prayers, for strength, for protection, and for healing. We ask for support, for compassion, and for love to reach us in ways both seen and unseen. Most of all, we ask for continued resilience—for Cylus to know that he is never alone, and for us to remember that our love can be a shield in times of darkness.
Yesterday, our world changed. Yet, amidst the fear, uncertainty, and tears, there is hope. Cylus has shown us that even in the darkest moments, light can shine through. He is more than his diagnosis. He is more than the procedures and the tests. He is our son, our hero, and our reminder that strength is found not in the absence of fear, but in the courage to move forward, hand in hand, heart to heart.
Cylus’s journey has only just begun, and though the road will be long, we will walk it with him every step of the way. He is a warrior, a light in the darkness, and a testament to the power of courage, love, and hope. And as we look at him today, we know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we will face them together—because he has already shown us the true meaning of bravery.
