Braxton Horton Burkitt's Lymphoma | 6 years-old Inman, SC
Right after the 2018 Christmas holidays, Sabrina Horton took her son Braxton to the pediatrician. Her vibrant and sweet-spirited five-year-old seemed extra tired, and had started snoring heavily. She thought it might be sleep apnea, but a visit to the ENT revealed he had a growth on his tonsils. They quickly scheduled surgery to remove it, but within minutes, the doctor was back out of the operating room. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he told Sabrina, pausing removal until they had more information. A biopsy revealed Braxton had a rare and fast-growing cancer called Burkitt's lymphoma. A tumor covered his entire nasal cavity and had begun to spread into his throat. Despite the diagnosis, Braxton’s medical team was hopeful the cancer would respond well to aggressive treatment, and he began chemotherapy immediately. Although he lost his hair, as well as his energy, Braxton’s endearing spirit endured through all four months of treatment. He even named his port, the device used to transfer fluids and medication, “Daisy.” But while his optimism comforted Sabrina, caring for a child with cancer presented countless challenges. So when Clement’s Kindness stepped in to provide special, protected outings for Braxton, Sabrina found it a tremendous help. Braxton and his siblings went to Carowinds, and he loved going to Clemson for the preseason football practice and player signing. Clement’s Kindness also helped Sabrina with new tires for her car, and the School Intervention Program set up homebound educational services so Braxton wouldn’t fall behind during kindergarten. Braxton finished chemotherapy the day before his 6th birthday, and his initial scan revealed the tumor had a dramatic chemotherapy response. His monthly checkups continue to be clear, and his hair grew back in time for him to be Super Mario for Halloween. Braxton is still his animal-loving, kindhearted-self, and now, he’s cancer free.
"Clement's Kindness provided special, protected outings for Braxton. They have been very, very good to us throughout our journey." — Sabrina Horton, Braxton's mother
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Patient at the BI-LO Charities Children's Cancer Center