Braks Attacks Cancer Back: The AGAR Family

In August 2021, our family fell ill due to Covid 19. While the whole family only had symptoms for a few days, Brakdon’s illness persisted for some time, urging further medical attention. At the instruction of our family pediatrician, we went to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital emergency room for further testing. There, he was immediately rushed to the trauma room as he required an emergency manual-pump-in blood transfusion due to his very low hemoglobin blood counts. Upon admission and a 3-week quarantined hospital stay, further tests concluded that Brakdon indeed had ALL Leukemia. Treatments began immediately.

Brakdon was adjusting positively to the steroids, chemo medicines, and all the changes happening in his life. He exuded a Lil’ man -Superhero B-man - Braks Attacks - mentality! He and the rest of our family have very strong faith and knew God’s GOT this for him! As treatments proceeded, one of the phases included a long series of high methotrexate doses in his spinal fluid. On about the 5th dose in this intense phase, after his lumbar puncture surgery, Brakdon, unfortunately, experienced methotrexate toxicity. Only 4% of leukemia children have experienced such a set-back.

Brakdon experienced stroke-like symptoms, paralysis on the left side of his body, uncontrollable large-muscle spasms, and seizures. He was in the PICU for about a week. The family remained hopeful and strong in their faith knowing God’s GOT this for Brakdon! Brakdon soon recovered after many months of OT, PT, and speech therapy. He continued with his treatments, although altered a bit, with excluding methotrexate intrathecally in his spinal fluid, though continuing the methotrexate protocols intravenously.

More recently, Brakdon, unfortunately, experienced the methotrexate toxicity again. The toxicity, this time, affected his internal organs causing a blood infection, while at the same time having a virus infection. B-man Braks attacked strong and mighty, recovering fully after only 10 days! He sure is one brave hero whom is continuing to fight this battle hard and strong! He knows God’s GOT this for him and trusts in Him fully!