Starting aTeam: Our Story with Childhood Cancer
The Thrower Family: Anderson, Andy, Jan and Avery
Photo by: So Filled with Love Photography
On January 5, 2009, I took our 16-month-old son, Anderson, to the pediatrician thinking he had the flu, only to be sent to the ER with a possible leukemia diagnosis. The doctor’s words, “It’s not good. I think he may have leukemia,” echoed in my mind as she wrapped her arm around me. Despite the shock, God gave me a sense of peace, reminding me of Romans 8:28: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.”
The next day, Anderson was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Although we were overwhelmed, I knew God was with us every step of the way. Anderson’s treatment began immediately, and by day 14, he was in remission, though the treatment would continue for another 3.5 years. Over the next several months, we saw Anderson undergo tough treatments, including chemotherapy, spinal taps, and blood transfusions.
In May 2009, Anderson entered a phase called Delayed Intensification. We feared the worst, but God answered our prayers, and Anderson made it through without needing a hospital stay. Even though Anderson lost his hair during this time, I began to see his face in a new light—his eyes more expressive than ever before.
Afterward, Anderson entered the Maintenance phase of treatment, which continued for 2.5 years. He took oral chemotherapy nightly and visited the clinic monthly. On March 18, 2012, Anderson took his last dose of chemotherapy, a day of great celebration.
Throughout this journey, we were incredibly blessed by the support of family, friends, and our church community. We met many other families battling cancer, and it became clear that God had called us to not only share our story but also to share His love with others. This led us to found aTeam Ministries, with the hope of offering support and compassion to families going through similar challenges.