9-year-old with bone marrow transplant wants to be home by his birthday

Plans to have lots of Legos and no more leukemia

Early indicators are good that Chad Grosch could meet his goal of returning home in Luling by May 26 for his 10th birthday.

It’s been nearly two weeks since Grosch’s bone marrow transplant at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, which is now done intravenously with stem cell treatment. It was done in 30 minutes with cells from a donor who won’t be identified for at least a year.

“He’s having some bad days now, spiking in fever with the highest at 103 degrees, and getting antibiotics that is serious but normal,” said his father, Chad. “He’s just run down and not himself. Just kind of blah at the moment.”

Now, the boy’s family can just wait and pray.

The family has to take extra precautions in order to be around Grosch.

“You have to wear a mask and gloves and gown,” his father said of protecting his son from any possibility of an infection until his immune system recovers from the treatment. “You can’t do anything in the room. No food allowed. You’re basically staying in the room watching TV. That’s it.”

His hospital room is a sterile environment where his family visits him, but some days, the waiting and worrying takes its toll on them all.

“My outlook is just complete helplessness,” said his father over this latest treatment. “Being a dad, you want to protect your child, but you have no control whatsoever. My wife stays there every day – she literally lives there. She hasn’t been outside for three weeks.”

They’re waiting to see if his body accepts the stem cells, which could take one to two months. His father says after he’s out of the hospital Grosch still has to visit the hospital every day for 90 to 100 days to check his immune system.

Overall, though, Grosch’s father is optimistic that this treatment will work.

This family’s world flipped on Dec. 18, 2014.

This is when Grosch was first diagnosed with leukemia and they spent Christmas in the hospital. He got out in June of last year with a complete remission and had even returned to Lakewood Elementary. Soon after, he relapsed with the disease, requiring another three arduous months of chemotherapy and radiation.

Grosch said they have survived on prayer and hope, and family and friends.

“We have each other,” he added of a community that has wholeheartedly stepped in with fundraisers and blood donations. People who they’ve never met are helping, too.This came through with two perfect bone marrow matches or donors for Grosch’s stem cells, which Chad said is impressive when just one donor is found.

“There are people saving a few more kids’ lives,” he said. “Basically, without the stem cells, there is nothing. Chemo is like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound.”

Chemotherapy kills the cancerous cells while stem cells help the healthy cells reproduce and replace those lost to cancer.

According to Chad’s mother, Nicole, their son is doing well.“Everything is going as expected,” she said. “His cells are starting to reproduce. He’s real tired and doesn’t feel good, and he’s losing his hair again, but other than that his spirits are up. We’re very, very hopeful.”

The younger Grosch is hopeful, as well, looking forward to lots of presents for his hospital stay and birthday. He’s wild for Legos, particularly super hero ones now, and the list will soon be made for new ones.

“He deserves it because he’s been through so much,” Nicole said. “He’s been a trooper and he’s still cracking jokes.”