CHAPTERS OF

COURAGE

KNOWLEDGE & RESILIENCE IN LEUKEMIA

Volume 3: Florence and Jacob’s story

PRESENT IN
EVERY MOMENT

MEET FLORENCE AND HER SON, JACOB

Florence is a mom, partner, and caregiver. Her son, Jacob, is a young acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivor, bravely embracing each day with courage and determination. After experiencing a relapse, Jacob is now back in remission as of August 2024. Florence and Jacob’s story is one of perseverance, hope, and the power of family—proving that together, they can face anything.

“As a mother and caregiver, I went all in. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for my kid.”

NAVIGATING THE UNKNOWN

When Florence first heard Jacob’s doctor say the words “cancer” and “leukemia,” the world seemed to tilt. Those words carried enormous weight—heavier than anything she’d ever imagined. In an instant, her mind flooded with questions that were both practical and deeply personal.

Florence wanted to ask the doctor:

  • What does this mean for his future – will he be okay?
  • How long will we be in the hospital?
  • What about our home, our dog, our jobs?
  • How will we take care of Jacob and still be there for his sister, Nora?

The unknown was, by far, the hardest part. To avoid overwhelming the family, Jacob’s doctors tended to share information little by little. At times, Florence found this frustrating. She wanted to understand everything—every possible outcome, every next step. Her partner, on the other hand, preferred to focus on the immediate needs and address additional challenges when the time came.

Their contrasting coping styles became their strength, helping each other balance fear with calm, and information with trust. Florence learned that patience was part of healing, and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is accept what you can’t control.

To help her cope with the fear of the unknown, Florence also sought support from online parent groups for parents of children with leukemia. Connecting with others through shared experiences not only offered comfort but also revealed the weight of others’ struggles. Florence realized that people often post when things go wrong, not when they go right. From that, she learned one of her biggest lessons: it’s important to stay grounded, but always hold space for hope.

FINDING SUPPORT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

For Florence, caring for Jacob extended beyond his medical needs—it meant supporting her partner and her daughter Nora, who were each coping in their own way, while also learning how to care for herself. Managing it all became an act of balance and endurance, dividing time between hospital rooms and home, care plan schedules and bedtime stories. She and her partner often split their time—one by Jacob’s side, the other with Nora—each doing their part to keep the family connected, even when apart. Jacob was so young in the beginning that much of his care meant distraction and entertainment, with lots of laughter and play. But his sister, Nora, needed something different—reassurance, attention, and space to process the change in her world. Florence learned that healing wasn’t just about the care plan, it was about nurturing the whole family.

“We had a lot of energy to give and really just wanted to be present with each other.”

Community support became their lifeline. Florence’s parents traveled often to help, and the family’s community rallied around them—organizing fundraisers, meals, and moments of care that reminded them they weren’t alone. Florence discovered that accepting help wasn’t a sign of weakness but of connection.

At the hospital, small comforts made a big difference—sibling playrooms, help from volunteers, and spaces where families could simply exhale. While not every hospital may offer those same amenities, Florence wants others to know that support still exists beyond hospital walls. Community organizations and advocacy groups can help hold space for families as they navigate the hardest moments together.

“It wasn’t in my usual nature to receive help, but I learned to accept it.”

Watercolor illustration of Florence’s family together

PRACTICING RESILIENCE AND PRESENCE

Florence learned that sometimes the only way forward is one day at a time. The path ahead was uncertain, so they learned to live in the moment. What once felt impossible—not knowing what came next—slowly became a lesson in being present.

Emotional resilience came not from controlling every outcome but from focusing on what she could do: showing up for her children, taking a deep breath in difficult moments, and letting go of the spiral of “what ifs.” Through mental health support, quiet reflection, and relaxing together as a family, Florence found ways to process the trauma and stay grounded—not just for herself but for her family.

“I realized I could be put in any situation or tragedy and still be okay. I never stopped doing what I had to do—I was the rock for my whole family. Let’s march on, we can’t stop.”

Even now, questions linger. She still worries about Jacob, their family, and carrying the weight of what they’ve been through. But alongside those worries lives something deeper: gratitude, for the doctors and nurses who guided them, for the community that lifted them, and for the rare clarity that comes from facing the unimaginable and still finding light within it.

EMBRACING EACH MOMENT

Through patience, community, and the unshakable love of her family, Florence found strength in the midst of uncertainty. The journey tested her in every way, but it also taught her to lead with gratitude and hope—to stay present, even when the future felt unknown.

Today, she carries that lesson forward, embracing each moment—ordinary and extraordinary—as proof that beauty and resilience can endure. Grounded in love, Florence and her family continue to find light in the hardest days—in laughter, in togetherness, and in simply being here, one day at a time.

“The best advice…try to stay in the moment and stay hopeful. Anything is possible.”

Hugs, Florence and Jacob

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Watercolor illustration of Florence and Jacob