|  Three-year-old Noah Paul Ard was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia on January 29, 2003. For the past year, the Ard family has been making weekly trips to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas where Noah has been undergoing treatments to battle this disease.
Noah’s treatments include a rotation of nightly chemotherapy treatments at home, IV treatments at TCH, spinal taps, and steroid therapy. These treatments started one year ago when Noah was diagnosed, and will continue for then next year and a half.
There are many side effects that hinder patients like Noah, which include mouth sores, sleep depravation, mood swings and a host of other ailments. Noah and patients like him must also receive red cell and platelet transfusions.
Doctors tell the Ard’s that for Noah to be cured of this disease, he must remain in remission for 10 years after the treatments have ceased. However, the Doctors and nurses believe that Noah has a good outlook and can very well conquer this battle.
Noah’s parents Marty and Angela Ard along with Noah’s two older bothers Dyllon and Shane all believe that Noah will undoubtedly beat this disease. Their faith in God, along with the support that they have received from family, friends and strangers have carried the Ard family through one of their toughest trials ever.
“The people that are complete strangers who have given of themselves have completely amazed me,” Angela said. The emotional burdens along with the stress endured from watching Noah undergo this battle has been difficult. “Our family has grown from this, and Noah has been a real trooper,” Angela said.
Each trip to TCH has made an impact on the Ard’s. They have a common bond with other families just like theirs, and have made many life-long friendships. “It helps to know that we are not going through this alone, and it also helps me to be able to pray for other children just like Noah,” Angela said.
If you would like to know more about Noah and stay updated on his progress, you can visit his personal web-site (Noah loves getting mail!). |
