Shakespeare’s Carter Kuchma, a 7-year-old fighting to beat cancer

The Kuchma family of Shakespeare are cheering on seven-year-old son Carter after he was diagnosed with leukemia this summer. Carter told the Times he can’t wait to get back with his teachers and friends, and back to a regular daily routine again.

In August, the Kuchma family of Shakespeare had a diagnosis of their 7-year-old son Carter that parents hope they never have to hear and endure.

Carter, according to his parents Tyler and Diane, began feeling noticeably sick, on Aug. 1 of this year, noticing he was very lethargic with a pale complexion, but no other indications, of what might be wrong.

He then had a blood test, that revealed he had Type “B” Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (blood cancer).

Things had to move very quickly from his day-one diagnosis on Aug. 8, and was admitted that same day into London Health Sciences Centre, and stayed till Aug. 20, enduring cancer treatments.

Tyler and Diane said there were many long nights for Carter (with them by his side), in hospital, with surgeries, numerous blood transfusions and chemotherapy.

They said the “induction” month, was very hard on their son, with daily steroids causing mood swings, appetite loss and body changes.

“The medications kept him from walking for three weeks at the start,” Tyler said about the process. “Once the initial 12-day hospital stay was over, there have been multiple times per week, travelling to London, for chemo and blood transfusions.”

In an interview with the Times, Diane added that Carter is in consolidation and can now walk again.

“He is taking chemo treatments daily, with spinal injections once per week.”

His parents both say that Carter misses being a kid, playing with his friends and going to school, as he had been very involved in fastpitch at the Shakespeare ball park, since his family had moved to the village from Baden four years ago.

Carter, who has two sisters, Natalie, 11, and Hailey, 9, loves playing baseball, soccer, video games, playing with friends, going to the movies and loves eating out at restaurants.

A smiling Carter said Kelsey‘s is still his favourite.

He’s also been involved in fishing and of course, playing with their very friendly family dog, Cali (one of his very best friends, who continues to comfort him through the rough days).

He has also been very busy in his young life, with rollerblading, camping, Lego, Minecraft, and says that math is still his favourite subject in school.

He can’t wait to get back with his teachers and friends, and back to a regular daily routine again.

Diane and Tyler say they are so glad to have friends like Tavistock’s Julie and Kyle Wynette, who’s son Nash also went through what Carter is going through now.

Today Nash is very healthy and back playing sports and having a good time with his brother and friends again.

The Kuchmas continue to be very grateful for the support and caring from the Wynette family, along with many others, who might have been on this journey in the past themselves.