Meet Whitten John

😳😳It’s taken decades BUT - I’m Not Too Proud for Help🙌🏼 https://gofund.me/4b6d9523 🌞 GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE 🌞 #GMS #WhittenJohn #WhittenStrong

Update on Whitten John ... #lch #diabetesinsipidus #childhoodcancer #chemomom #prognosis #persepctive #lifeisbeautiful

3 days ago I walked into Childrens Hospital expecting a routine overnight test that would give us a quick answer and send us on our way. As Whitten and I hauled our bags in for an overnight and water deprivation test, I looked upon the families we passed with a heavy heart. Mother's with vacant eyes. Children who's sadness you could feel. Dads with swollen red faces revealing tears they probably used to hide. Wagon after wagon full of overnight bags, blankets, hospital machinery. My empathy sought it's way into their souls and felt deep sorrow. "I can't even begin to understand what these poor people are going through." 36 hours later I sat in our hospital room surrounded by our new oncologist, endocrinologist, neurologist and team of additional doctors and nurses. "We think what your son has is treatable...but your lives will never be the same." In a blink of an eye, we became one of 'those families'. This video is the first live share of our journey with a rare cancer called Langerhans Cell Hystiocytosis (LCH) and an additional rare disease called Diabetes Insipidus. (DI) Although you will see my authentic tears and shock, I believe this videos shares perspective and hope. If you or your family has been affected with LCH or DI in a child, please reach out, we are looking for connections and support. We are only 5 weeks into our new chapter of life full of chemo, medications, blood draws, surgeries, hospital stays, roid rage, tears and the general 'unknown'... but we are doing our best and focusing on the light and love around us in each and every moment. Many people continue to ask what they can do for us... and the truth is - I don't know. We don't know exactly what this looks like yet. The only thing I ask for is light, love, and prayers. But my sis in law (being the hands on organized supporter) set up a go fund me to support our finances... https://www.gofundme.com/f/whitten-john-carroll-and-the-carroll-family YES we have insurance that 'should only cost us' an additional $9K for the next 18 years (an unexpected $162K expense) but we have no idea the extent of what is going to happen next. And the biggest surprise is the amount of time and energy caregiving is for our little man which means momma bear (aka me) who is a self made entrepreneur traditionally running her 3 companies - is unable to work. Which as you can imagine - can be a little scary. I trust in God and I know that our family is going to be taken care of and I am truly listening for what is next... but for now - here we sit. My goal in sharing these videos is to support you with HOPE FAITH TRUST GRATITUDE and LOVE Life isn't a perfect fairytale, but there is beauty all around us. Some days feel better than others. Some months are tough and some seem to be smooth sailing. Some years knock you on your ass and some light you up in ways you never knew possible. Just know that life is happening FOR you not TO you. Breath. Laugh. Cry. Release. Ask for help. Believe. #histiocytosis #LCH #histiowarrior #gms #goodmorningsunshine #chemomom #chemotherapy #perspective #lifeisbeautiful