Safe at Home
St. Jude patients fill the time at home with crafts, games and more with family and loved ones.
March 30, 2020 • 4 min
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Safe at home
"We've played more than a few board games and card games lately," Owen's mom said. Owen became a St. Jude patient when he was 4 years old, after his family learned he had leukemia. His treatment lasted two-and-a-half years.
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Safe at home
Owen and Dawson play a round of basketball in the family's driveway. When school is in session, Owen runs cross country and plays football, so these games help the boys stay active.
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Safe at home
Owen and his brother, Dawson, rake leaves behind their house. "We might build a shelter," Owen said. "Maybe to camp out in."
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Safe at home
Mae is the youngest child and only girl in a family of five children. She was adopted from China in 2017. "She's full of joy," her mom said.
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Safe at home
Chloe and Hanna have spent time sprucing up the hutches for their pet rabbits. The twins were just a year old when Chloe was diagnosed with brain cancer. "We found so much love and hope at St. Jude," the girls' moms said.
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Safe at home
Bailey just received his driver's permit. "We're trying to stay calm in general," his mom said. "But with Bailey learning to drive, it's a little much!"
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Safe at home
Bailey spends as much time as he can in the backyard practicing his golf swing. Although he is finished with active treatment for bone cancer, he returns to St. Jude for regular leg-lengthening surgeries. "He has an internal prosthesis with a prosthetic knee joint, which extends from his upper thigh down past his knee," said his mom. "It has a spring that allows expansion through surgery."
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Safe at home
Chloe and her twin sister Hanna love spending time outdoors. "They're learning about gemstones and rocks," their dad said.
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Safe at home
Chloe and her twin sister Hanna love spending time outdoors. "They're learning about gemstones and rocks," their dad said.
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Safe at home
"So far, we've only had one exciting thing happen while we've been home," Azalea's mom said. "Azalea lost a front tooth!"
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Safe at home
Kaylee and her sister, Jill, take a break from jumping on their backyard trampoline. "As a family we’ve mourned the loss of normalcy and things we had planned, but we’ve now embraced all of the blessings that maybe we didn’t really view as blessings before," said Kaylee's mom. The family has been cooking together, playing board games and spending more time outside. Kaylee survived brain cancer, and today she's a high school freshman and a dancer.
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Safe at home
Thatcher just turned 5 years old. "We had to postpone his party, but we still celebrated with just the family," said his dad. "Thatcher had a blast."
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Safe at home
"We're so appreciative of the whole medical team at St. Jude for all they do to keep our kids safe and healthy."
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Safe at home
Lucas' family returned to Chile after he finished treatment. “Lucas and his sister have been letting creativity take over during this time at home," said their mom. "I made them a camping tent indoors and they love it."
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Safe at home
Mae has gone on bear hunts in the neighborhood, keeping an eye out for Teddy bears people place in their windows.
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Safe at home
Mae is also enjoying riding her tricycle up and down the sidewalk. Said her mom, "We're super grateful Mae has a strong immune system this year.”
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Safe at home
“Mae is the world’s most extroverted person, so this is torture for her," said her mom. "She basically word vomits on anyone that walks past the house. But otherwise, we’re good! Lots of playing outside and a slower pace."
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Safe at home
Owen is usually running through the woods, but sometimes he slows down to take the family dog, Murray, for a walk with his dad. This past December, Owen participated in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend events, running his first 10k - and placing second overall in 10k category.
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Safe at home
Tyler’s mom took this selfie after a family workout. Their gym is closed, so they do weights and cardio together at home now, as well as daily three-mile runs. Tyler is training to run the half marathon at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. He’s a blood cancer survivor.
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Safe at home
"We planted wildflower seeds on a walking trail we use daily," Mabry's mom said. "We're staying away from people, so the walks are a chance to get out, with Mabry and her brother. And we'll be able to watch the flowers grow."
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Safe at home
Gustavo and his sisters love the fact that their mom is a teacher - it means she'll be teaching them while they're home. “We already know what being isolated means. I and many other warrior moms at St. Jude have gone through this before," said Gustavo's mom. "This will pass soon and we will be okay."
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Safe at home
Three-year-old Dahiralis is undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma. "We've been doing different crafts every day," her mom said. "Today we made a closet for her Barbie doll."
