There is so much good stuff to say about the Aflac Cancer Center and its staff. It is truly hard to put to paper. We have been patients since December 27, 2007. Gavin was diagnosed a few days after birth and transferred from an outside Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite NICU and after several tests was diagnosed with an Adrenal Neuroblastoma. The staging wasn’t confirmed until March 2008 post surgery. That is when we found out it was stage 2A.

Gavin was diagnosed with adrenal Neuroblastoma 2A with hypertension due to renal atrophy of the right kidney. Now we visit the Aflac Cancer Center every 2-3 months for checks ups—before we were visiting almost weekly for numerous scans and tests.

Dr. Rapkin is out favorite doctor. Our favorite thing about the Aflac Cancer Center is the rooms at the hospital. They are so much more comfortable and accommodating when you have a long stay of 3 or more days. At the doctor’s office, we love the video games and movies to entertain you while you are there. In general, we love the fact that everyone is so gentle and caring. They truly care!

Because Gavin is only 6 months now, he is usually the youngest on the hall during his stays. Everyone used to drop by to see the baby. So there are many ‘friends’ we can’t keep track of all of them. There are also some amazing outside organizations who come to the Aflac Cancer Center to help. For instance, CURE Childhood Cancer stops by every Thursday night with dinner for the patients and families. They are invaluable in the sanity of the patients and families!

For fun Gavin currently likes to play in his exerciser and do anything Mommy and Daddy are doing. He also adores ‘swimming’ in the pool.

This journey has taught us many things. First, don’t take anything for granted. We didn’t know anything prenatally so this was a complete shock to us. Second, you really learn who your friends and close family are. Third, as bad as it gets, there is always someone else that is sicker and you could help them, so keep your head up. Fourth, we realized how much you will sacrifice for your child’s health. You never know until you’re there so never judge people when you see them. Fifth, generally, the ‘help’ that you get comes from people you never expected i.e. the church, neighbors, the Aflac Cancer Center and Children’s and people that you’ve never met. Sixth, you really learn people’s character.