During the summer of 2005 an accident on the farm sent him to the hospital with a broken bone. While there, they learned that he was going through a relapse.
"The doctor came in crying when she told us he had relapsed." said Connie.
It was the second relapse the doctor had to deal with that day.
Blade was again going back into chemotherapy. At this point the doctors began looking into the possibility of a bone marrow transplant. Looking to his family for a match, they found that his older brother Barrett was a close match but not perfect. Wanting a perfect match they opted for a more intense regiment of chemotherapy.
Life can be very difficult for the Winter family. Blade, who is often to sick or in too much pain to go anywhere, forces the family to split their duties.
"We do what we call divide and conquer," said Connie.
If Barrett has an event that he needs to go to and Blade is to ill to attend, then one parent goes with Barrett and the other stays home. If Blade needs to be in the hospital then Barrett stays with family or friends so Trent and Connie both can be with Blade.
Connie said they are very fortunate to have such a supportive group of family and friends who are able and willing to help them.
With chemo done for now, Blade has to stay in remission for five years before the doctors will declare him cancer free. September of 2012 is the target date that they are shooting for.
Blade will be 16 years old then and has already made plans for what could be a very special birthday celebration for him.
"I want a Harley!" exclaimed Blade.
Blade said that if he remains in remission until 2012 then he wants a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle to celebrate. For now though, thoughts of motorcycles will have to remain just thoughts. With all the chemo he has received he must remain careful of everything he does.
"His bones are very brittle," said Connie, "The doctors are working on ways to strengthen his bones." It limits Blades ability to participate in team sports. Like baseball.
Article comments
1 - dg2015
Blade has told me all about this, he's even in my class!!!! My name is dorian but blade calls me doris In third grade blade didn't hardly ever come to school, in fourth he came more often, and now in fifth grade blade is here almost every single day, just like the rest of us! He deserved micheal beasley's attention, he is a great friend!