Now six months old, the cancer fight baby for Jeff Spartz continues. He was diagnosed in February with ALL, a form of Leukemia, and has been undergoing treatments since then. A benefit is set for Sunday, June 10, which will include pulled pork sandwiches and a silent auction. It will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Brewster American Legion Hall. A free will offering will be accepted to aid the family with medical and other expenses.The son of Chad and Meg Spartz of Brewster is rolling over, drinking formula, eating solids and gaining weight. “Speaking of baby activities, we are rolling like a rock star!” Meg exclaimed. “We are in the 50th percentile. We see physical and occupational therapy daily. Jeff loves his play mat and crib!”
The Spartz family is taking Jeff’s battle with leukemia fifteen minutes at a time, as things change quite often. One day, numbers look great, and the next, they drop, or vice versa. “It’s always balancing,” Meg said. “It’s just sometimes the act has so many different things to balance.”
The Spartz’s have been able to juggle schedules, with assistance from family and friends, while Jeff has been in the Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls. Meg spends much of her time with Jeff while he is in the hospital, and has been able to attend many ‘end of the school year’ events for Jeff’s five siblings too.
Jeff completed round two of chemotherapy last week, and will soon begin round three. The general schedule is treatment for one month and then a week off. A bone marrow biopsy will be done soon to determine when round three can begin. Currently, Jeff’s ANC number is low, which means he is susceptible to infection, delaying the bone marrow biopsy. “They will send that to Seattle to see how the chemo is working,” Meg said. “We might get a few days home then start round three.”
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