Alec Ingram – Game Ball Relay Runner (GBR16)

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Thank you to our donors!

Vincent Ambrosecchia
Teresa Andreone & Jon T Deuchler
Steve & Becky Brown
Alison Hibbs
Ms. Jennifer Hilbert
Kathryn Jennings
Chellee Niermeyer
Deborah & Steven Sutton

Alec Ingram Family

Proud Family Sponsor

On April 11, 2015 our active fourth grader Alec broke his arm in the backyard on the trampoline. We had no idea what was in store for us. Before that day he loved playing sports and just being outdoors. He was counting down the days until he could play basketball on the school team. At the first look at our local hospital we were told he had a benign bone cyst which softened his humerus bone in his right arm causing the break. After almost a month of Alec still being in pain we decided to go to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for a second opinion.

Immediately after X-rays we were told they thought it was a malignant tumor and we were introduced to Marsha who is part of the oncology team. I remember the way she approached us immediately with hugs and making sure Alec was not afraid. After multiple days of tests, we were scheduled for biopsy and port placement surgery on May 21. Our worst fear was confirmed that day, it was osteosarcoma bone cancer.

Alec received his first of 22 chemo treatments the day after his 10th birthday, June 10. We were scared to death of what the upcoming year ahead of us would be like. Each one of Alec’s treatments require a 3-4 day hospital stay, three weeks in a row, then two weeks off to recover. However, usually about day 10 of that break his counts would bottom out and we would end up back in the hospital for fever. On average we spend 20 days a month in the hospital.

On September 10 Alec had a 12-hour surgery to remove the tumor and the humerus bone that had been destroyed by the cancer. The ideal surgery to replace the bone with an adjustable rod that would grow with him could no longer be done because of the size of the tumor. The next option to save his arm would leave him with limited mobility but was the only option left other than amputation. His amazing surgeon Dr. Greenberg had high hopes of saving his arm but would not be sure if it could be done until the surgery itself. After hearing this news all Alec told us we just need to pray harder. He had complete faith he would wake up with an arm. The surgery was indeed a great success!

After surgery he had 14 more rounds of chemo. We currently have two more of those left before scans to confirm he no longer has any evidence of the disease. Throughout our journey the staff at Cardinal Glennon have become part of our family. Alec has had several ER visits which are always scary, but his 4 North nurses always make sure to come down and make him more comfortable. On several instances Meggie and Lindsay have stayed after their shifts just to hang out with him. They spoil him with treats from home, pizza parties, Taco Bell and even foot massages! They both know how to put a smile on his face and he looks forward to his time with his special nurses so much. Everyone from Cardinal Glennon – from the sweet cleaning lady Linda who stops to pray over the children to the amazing Oncology Team – will always have a special place in our hearts. These are only some of the reasons why we have chosen to help raise funds for this amazing hospital.

Sincerely,
Chris & Jennifer Ingram

Please join us and #TeamAlec #GBR16 in raising funds to support Cardinal Glennon’s lifesaving work! So many children and families benefit from this amazing hospital and we are excited to help make it even better! Every penny raised will go to the hospital and directly affect the children.