In December, Laud Edwards was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A benefit for the youngster is planned for 2 p.m. today at International House of Bowling in the Falls.
Three-year-old Laud Edwards shares personality traits several other boys his age have. He loves his GeoTrax train set, putting together 24-piece puzzles, climbing on playground equipment, playing with his twin brother, Creed, and carrying his green blanket with him wherever he goes.
What sets Laud apart from other lively toddlers his age is that he has acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
For Laud’s parents, Pam and Gary Edwards, the last 3 1/2 months have been about having faith and finding a balance when it comes to their son’s disease.
“We are believing for complete healing for Laud,” Pam Edwards told The Journal Wednesday.
Up until December, the couple had what they referred to as “a normal life.” But, on Dec. 10, normal took on a new meaning when Laud was diagnosed.
“The days are starting to run together and our family has been apart for almost four months,” Edwards said.
Following his diagnosis, Laud has been away from his Fort Frances home and is living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for weekly visits to CancerCare. And while Edwards said both she and her husband would like to be with their son, one parent has to stay more than 200 miles away at home with the couple’s seven other children.
“It is a challenge, but we’re taking it day by day,” Edwards said. “Everything is in God’s hands.”
Haunting words
Laud’s journey began when a pink eye virus swept through the Edwards’ household in late November. His siblings who were infected with the virus gradually kicked the nasty bug — except for Laud.
“Laud’s was taking forever to clear up,” Edwards said. “And he was pretty lethargic. He kept asking to take naps and just had no energy.”
A few days later, the toddler’s skin became pale and his lips had a purple tint to them. Edwards waited to see if whatever virus was attacking her son’s body would clear up on its own.
He didn’t.
Edwards said she finally realized whatever was going on with Laud wasn’t normal.
“Gary was the one who took Laud to the emergency room in Fort Frances,” Edwards recalled.
The 3-year-old’s skin tone prompted doctors to do blood work.
“We weren’t told the results of his blood work, we were just told to go to Winnipeg immediately,” Edwards explained.
The following day, Edwards and her father, Mike Holden of International Falls, packed a few days worth of clothes and made the trip to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
“I never thought it was anything serious, I just thought we were going to Winnipeg because it was a bigger facility,” Edwards said.
Shortly after Laud checked into the hospital, doctors did more blood work to pinpoint the culprit of his skin discoloration. Shortly after, Edwards was approached by doctors with words she described as “those that no parent wants to hear.”
“They told me Laud has leukemia, but didn’t know which type,” she said.
The news caused Holden to break down, which Edwards said was probably for the best because it helped her stay focused.
“It was all so surreal, but I just wanted to find out more and learn what the next step was,” she said.
She added that Laud’s leukemia and low white blood cell count was the reason his body was unable to fight off the pink eye virus he had just two weeks prior to his diagnosis.
Treatments
During the last several months, Laud has undergone several treatments including almost daily finger pokes, steroid medications, and lumbar punctures.
“All of this has really changed him,” Edwards said of her son’s personality.
She noted the family called Laud “Laid Back Laud” for the youngster’s usual go-with-the-flow personality. But with so many different drugs being pumped through his 29-pound body, “Laud has had a change in character.”
“There are things that make him very angry and crabby,” Edwards said. “He doesn’t want to listen to his mom or dad and he will yell and scream at the top of his lungs. This isn’t how he usually is.”
The adjustment to Laud’s mood swings has been hard for Edwards and she said finding a balance between allowing her little boy to let out frustration about being sick, but also implementing some discipline for his behavior has been a challenge.
“On one hand, I understand he’s dealing with a sickness, but on the other hand, I can’t let a 3-year-old get away with everything,” she explained.
For now, Laud is living with one parent at his aunt and uncle’s home in Winnipeg. Edwards said Laud only goes to CancerCare once or twice a week and hasn’t been in the hospital much, until last weekend.
“We have to constantly watch for a fever because of his high risk for infection,” she said. “It can’t get over 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or we have to take him in.”
Last weekend, Laud’s fever spiked because of an ear infection, and what would lead to a round of antibiotics for healthy children, left Laud in the hospital for three days.
“Usually when admitted for a fever, the children (with leukemia) have to go 48 hours without a fever,” Edwards explained.
Life back home
Edwards said March has been the toughest month for her seven children carrying on with life at the family’s home in Fort Frances.
Cole, 16; Piper, 8; Berea, 6; Jude, 5; Creed, 3; Jubilee, 2; and Nain, 6 weeks; have been adjusting to having their brother gone, but of course, Edwards said, they miss him.
“We’re trying to do what we can so life is somewhat normal for the kids back home,” Edwards said of she and Gary’s efforts to keep the family in good spirits.
Edwards added that she and Gary are honest with their children and “are not keeping anything from them.”
“I don’t think they really understood the first few months what was really going on,” she noted. “But during this last month, the kids are having emotional breakdowns.”
Laud is also missing his brothers and sisters — especially Creed.
“Prior to Laud’s diagnosis, he and Creed were apart for maybe an hour,” Edwards said. “Now, Laud is always breaking down and asking for his best friend, Creedy. That breaks my heart.”
Because the road for Laud’s recovery could be a long one, Edwards said the idea to permanently move the family to Winnipeg is being tossed around.
“The kids are seeing this process could take much longer than they expected, and I think they’re considering moving,” she said.
Other support
Edwards said beyond the family’s faith, their family members and friends have been “an amazing support system.”
“Our parents have been incredible and our mother’s jobs have been incredible,” she said. “Everything is really working out.”
Edwards added that people have been “super generous” with monetary gifts. “They seem to come at just the right time,” she said. “We are so thankful for those gifts already.”
Family members and friends of the Edwards’ have combined efforts to host a benefit for Laud to help the family with medical and other expenses.
The event, scheduled for 2 p.m. today at International House of Bowling, will feature food, a silent auction, raffles and family activities.
“Nothing is really more precious than the community’s time to help someone in need,” said Kari Gansch, co-organizer the event. “People can really help take a burden off this family’s shoulders.”
Gansch said funds are also being accepted at TruStar Federal Credit Union, 601 Fourth St. Checks can be made out to ‘Laud Edwards Benefit.’
“Every gift, big or small, has been given from such loving hearts,” Edwards concluded. “We really do feel cared for and loved.”
To keep up with Laud’s story, visit www.caringbridge.org, and search ‘laudedwards’.
