Hamilton Braving Leukemia Diagnosis
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
He enjoys playing Xbox, hanging out with friends and hunting.
But all those things have been put on hold.
Hamilton is battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It started in May of last year.
He got sick and his mom, Karin, took him to four different doctors but they couldn't figure out what was wrong.
By July 4th weekend, he had gotten worse and Sean couldn't open his mouth all the way.
That's when the whirlwind began.
A trip to the emergency room led to a trip to Lutheran in Fort Wayne.
On July 5, Sean was diagnosed.
Countless trips to Riley Hospital For Children ensued. Now, Sean goes for treatment to Lutheran Pediatric Cancer Center every week.
The last eight months for Sean has been full of chemotherapy sessions and doctor appointments.
Last week he had a scare when he went to the hospital for platelets during chemo.
Sean suffered a stroke and was taken to the Intensive Care Unit.
Though Sean suffered no permanent damage from the stroke, he spent several days in the ICU.
Monday Sean heads back to the hospital for a new round of chemo that will cause him to be hospitalized.
Things have changed so much for Sean in the past eight months.
Before he got sick, he was going to Sacred Heart and looking forward to starting middle school at Edgewood.
He'd play friends on XBox and had just gotten his first shotgun for hunting.
While Sean can still get online and chat with friends and play video games when he has the energy.
Sean had a chance to have a day through Make-A-Wish. He chose to go the Apple Store in Mishawaka because he didn't want to take the chance of traveling.
They still made the most of it though as Sean and his mom got picked up by a limo and were driven to University Mall.
There Sean got an iPad and a lightweight laptop.
He and his mom had to move from their apartment at her realtor's office in Warsaw to a new place on the west end of town.
According to Karin, Sean is susceptible to infection and has to live in a near sterile environment.
So a couple of friends helped move Sean and Karin into a first-floor apartment as well as cleaning it from head to toe.
Karin said she has been amazed at the outpouring of support she has received from the community.
In attempt to help them get out of their house, Warsaw Community Church gave them free passes to the YMCA.
But the chemo is so draining, not to mention the effects of ALL, much of Sean's limited free time is spent at home.
He is keeping up in school with two teachers who come by.
They were provided by Warsaw Community Schools.
One thing that helps lifts Sean's spirits is receiving cards and letters from friends.
He's even received cards and gifts from people in the community he doesn't know.
"It's been amazing to see people come out and help us who we've never met before," said Karin.
Cards and letters for Sean can be sent to 1508 Tippecanoe Dr Apt. B1 Warsaw, IN 46580.
The cure rate for ALL is 75 percent but it is a long and arduous process.
Sean still has two more years of treatment before he's in the clear.
Over the next three months he'll have to be hospitalized four times.
Karin said there are some tough days for Sean. Where he has fought boredom and some depression.
But for the most part, Sean is dealing with his disease with a quiet strength.
Like many kids his age he doesn't have much to say to adults but has many friends.
He's made two trips to Edgewood this year. Once was to have lunch with some friends. The other time was to watch a Christmas concert.
But fear of infection and being drained from his treatments limits trips like that.
Despite having to take every day as it comes Sean has aspirations of getting back into school, eventually going to college and becoming an engineer.
"I always tell him he has to go to Grace so he won't be too far away from me," joked Karin.
He and his mom spend most of their time together. Since Sean got sick Karin has been unable to work as a realtor. With two older children and after a divorce, Karin said its like Sean is an only child.
So that's where the community has stepped up.
K21 Foundation has helped the Hamiltons with rent and gas cards to get to treatments.
They've also gotten help with Karin's bible study group at WCC and the realtor community in Kosciusko County.
They've sent food, cleaning products and gifts.
Shelley Avery from Lawyers Trust helped collect Christmas gifts for Sean.
Karin said the thoughts and prayers of people throughout the county has helped the most.
Sean and Karin were interested in the story that recently ran about Bailey Moore and her battle with leukemia.
Sean said he's met other kids dealing with what he's dealing with.
But usually its in treatment which doesn't make for the most social of times.
As he progresses, Sean hopes to travel more. He has family in the Chicagoland area he hasn't seen in a while.
He'd also finally like to be able to go hunting again.
But in the meantime, Sean will continue to battle his illness as he has, with quiet courage and strength.[[In-content Ad]]
He enjoys playing Xbox, hanging out with friends and hunting.
But all those things have been put on hold.
Hamilton is battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It started in May of last year.
He got sick and his mom, Karin, took him to four different doctors but they couldn't figure out what was wrong.
By July 4th weekend, he had gotten worse and Sean couldn't open his mouth all the way.
That's when the whirlwind began.
A trip to the emergency room led to a trip to Lutheran in Fort Wayne.
On July 5, Sean was diagnosed.
Countless trips to Riley Hospital For Children ensued. Now, Sean goes for treatment to Lutheran Pediatric Cancer Center every week.
The last eight months for Sean has been full of chemotherapy sessions and doctor appointments.
Last week he had a scare when he went to the hospital for platelets during chemo.
Sean suffered a stroke and was taken to the Intensive Care Unit.
Though Sean suffered no permanent damage from the stroke, he spent several days in the ICU.
Monday Sean heads back to the hospital for a new round of chemo that will cause him to be hospitalized.
Things have changed so much for Sean in the past eight months.
Before he got sick, he was going to Sacred Heart and looking forward to starting middle school at Edgewood.
He'd play friends on XBox and had just gotten his first shotgun for hunting.
While Sean can still get online and chat with friends and play video games when he has the energy.
Sean had a chance to have a day through Make-A-Wish. He chose to go the Apple Store in Mishawaka because he didn't want to take the chance of traveling.
They still made the most of it though as Sean and his mom got picked up by a limo and were driven to University Mall.
There Sean got an iPad and a lightweight laptop.
He and his mom had to move from their apartment at her realtor's office in Warsaw to a new place on the west end of town.
According to Karin, Sean is susceptible to infection and has to live in a near sterile environment.
So a couple of friends helped move Sean and Karin into a first-floor apartment as well as cleaning it from head to toe.
Karin said she has been amazed at the outpouring of support she has received from the community.
In attempt to help them get out of their house, Warsaw Community Church gave them free passes to the YMCA.
But the chemo is so draining, not to mention the effects of ALL, much of Sean's limited free time is spent at home.
He is keeping up in school with two teachers who come by.
They were provided by Warsaw Community Schools.
One thing that helps lifts Sean's spirits is receiving cards and letters from friends.
He's even received cards and gifts from people in the community he doesn't know.
"It's been amazing to see people come out and help us who we've never met before," said Karin.
Cards and letters for Sean can be sent to 1508 Tippecanoe Dr Apt. B1 Warsaw, IN 46580.
The cure rate for ALL is 75 percent but it is a long and arduous process.
Sean still has two more years of treatment before he's in the clear.
Over the next three months he'll have to be hospitalized four times.
Karin said there are some tough days for Sean. Where he has fought boredom and some depression.
But for the most part, Sean is dealing with his disease with a quiet strength.
Like many kids his age he doesn't have much to say to adults but has many friends.
He's made two trips to Edgewood this year. Once was to have lunch with some friends. The other time was to watch a Christmas concert.
But fear of infection and being drained from his treatments limits trips like that.
Despite having to take every day as it comes Sean has aspirations of getting back into school, eventually going to college and becoming an engineer.
"I always tell him he has to go to Grace so he won't be too far away from me," joked Karin.
He and his mom spend most of their time together. Since Sean got sick Karin has been unable to work as a realtor. With two older children and after a divorce, Karin said its like Sean is an only child.
So that's where the community has stepped up.
K21 Foundation has helped the Hamiltons with rent and gas cards to get to treatments.
They've also gotten help with Karin's bible study group at WCC and the realtor community in Kosciusko County.
They've sent food, cleaning products and gifts.
Shelley Avery from Lawyers Trust helped collect Christmas gifts for Sean.
Karin said the thoughts and prayers of people throughout the county has helped the most.
Sean and Karin were interested in the story that recently ran about Bailey Moore and her battle with leukemia.
Sean said he's met other kids dealing with what he's dealing with.
But usually its in treatment which doesn't make for the most social of times.
As he progresses, Sean hopes to travel more. He has family in the Chicagoland area he hasn't seen in a while.
He'd also finally like to be able to go hunting again.
But in the meantime, Sean will continue to battle his illness as he has, with quiet courage and strength.[[In-content Ad]]
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