By Jessica Keller

The Courier-Herald

In many ways, Samuel Backus is like any other toddler.

The 2-year-old from South Prairie can be a chatterbox, naming his ears, eyes, feet and other body parts, the numbers and colors he has learned. He plays with his toys and favorite duckies, and watches kids' shows like "Dora the Explorer," "Blues Clues" and "Sesame Street," where Elmo reigns supreme as a favorite monster.

He has also been challenged more and gone through more than most toddlers and infinitely more than any parent would wish upon their child.

Samuel was diagnosed with high risk acute lymphocytic leukemia in April, and since then he and his family's world has been an endless series of cancer treatment, sickness, surgeries and hospital visits.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia, ALL, also known as acute childhood leukemia, is a disease where immature white blood cells excessively produce and eventually prevent normal blood cells and bone marrow from functioning properly.

"It's the better form of leukemia if there is one," his mother Jennifer Backus says.

The nightmare began for the Backus family in the spring. Jennifer Backus said she and her husband Mark knew something was wrong with their son in April, when he came down with a rash that spread rapidly all over his body. When Samuel's first blood test came back, it showed a white blood cell count of 265,000, way over the normal amount, and their ordeal began.

Samuel was taken to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma for his first round of chemotherapy treatment soon after he was diagnosed. He was then transferred to Seattle Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center.

Because he was diagnosed as high risk, which means there is a high risk of recurrence, he was given a higher dose of chemotherapy. The chemotherapy got rid of his high white blood cell count, as was anticipated, but that's where a normal treatment for ALL stopped.

"Ten days of poison, and four months of trying to fix it all," Jennifer Backus said.

The effects from the chemotherapy had such a negative impact on Samuel that not only did it derail his chemotherapy treatment, but it caused a multitude of other health problems.

"Basically he's had every bad complication that you can think of, and more they haven't heard of," Jennifer Backus said.

Since the chemotherapy, Samuel caught pneumonia, his lung collapsed, his colon and appendix have been removed, his large intestine was destroyed and he developed hydrocephalus (fluid on his brain). His body retained the excess fluid, which should have been processed, causing him to lose all movement and speech. He returned just last week from his latest hospital stay, where surgeons performed his seventh shunt surgery, where doctors rearranged the drainage system they installed underneath his skull to drain the fluid. The shunt, which previously went to his stomach, now drains to his heart. His blond hair is mostly shaved off and he has a large crescent-shaped scar with his latest stitches on the right side of his head.

"But hopefully all that's resolved and we're done with neurological issues," his mother said.

Samuel is currently recovering at home, and Jennifer and Mark are pleased to say he seems much improved from his last shunt.

"It's just nice to have him talk again," Mark said, as his son sat in a round chair in front of the television, watching Sesame Street and chewing on a big Elmo birthday card. "What was it, 10 weeks he didn't talk at all."

But Samuel is drastically changed from his first bout of battling leukemia.

Before, Samuel was described by his parents as being a very busy, talkative toddler who loved everybody he met. Now, he is wary of people.

"He doesn't like strangers because they all hurt him," Mark said.

Also, before the numerous hospital trips his mother terms endless, he was like any other toddler and couldn't keep his clothes on.

"Now he doesn't like to be naked because every time somebody undresses him something bad happens," Mark said.

While he has regained some movement in his body, he still can't walk, and is just making improvement in rolling over, Jennifer Backus said. He has just started eating again, but gets most of his nutrition from a machine that pushes liquid kept in a bag through a tube to his stomach by way of his nose.

Samuel's leukemia hasn't just affected him - the lives of his mom, dad, two sisters and one brother have also been altered.

"When something like this happens, it changes your life," Jennifer Backus said.

Not only have Jennifer and Mark lost track of time, becoming all-consumed by their son's illness, it has affected their livelihood.

Jennifer, who is legally blind and can't drive, has had to temporarily close her Internet business of homemade baby clothing supplies so she could be with her son in the hospital. Mark has had to quit his job so he could drive his son and wife to and from the hospital and be with his son.

For the first few months Jennifer lived in a hotel near her son's hospital with the family's newborn baby. Neither parent spent much time at home during that time.

"And when you're home, there's no joy in it," Jennifer said.

Because of the loss of income, and the cost incurred from traveling, staying in hotels, eating out and living a life away from home, the Backus family has had to stretch things financially.

They have received help, however, from, among other people, a young woman in town. Ashley Britschgi began collecting money at her coffee stand in South Prairie and who has organized a fund-raiser to benefit Samuel to take place Sept. 25.

Without her help, Mark Backus said, they would not be as well off, and may no longer be living in their house.

"She's an outstanding, number one person," Mark said, adding the money she has already raised has helped with traveling expenses tremendously.

This fund raiser, Jennifer said, will help in Samuel's future.

While Samuel's current health problems have eased a bit, and his leukemia remains in remission, Jennifer said family members have a long road ahead of them.

Samuel only went through the first, introductory round of chemotherapy before he almost died due to the complications. He still has the second round, another three months of intense treatment, he needs to complete.

But because the first round had such an adverse affect on him, almost killing him, the Backus' are hesitant to send their baby through another round, which could very well threaten his life. Doctors, who once pronounced his cure rate to be 70 percent, now won't even speculate on his prognosis.

"Right now we're just concerned they'll kill him outright," Jennifer Backus said.

In the mean time, the Backus' are exploring their options and trying to figure out how to get Samuel through his next round of treatment, including temporarily moving him out of state so he can receive top-of-the-line treatment.

"We haven't had time to do much else other than think of what we're going to do next and where we're going to take him," Jennifer Backus said.

They also pray his leukemia, which has remained inactive despite his lack of continuing treatment, stays in remission. Mark said the doctors warn them his leukemia could return any day, and if it does and attacks his nervous system, which has already suffered tremendously, Samuel may not live.

"That's been our miracle right now," Jennifer said.

Despite everything, the Backus' remain hopeful their son will live and get better, although they don't know if it will happen in Washington state.

"He'd better not die. If he's had to go through all he's had to and then die I'll be really mad," Jennifer Backus said.

Through his treatment, everybody has commented on how resilient Samuel has been.

"He is just a tough, ornery little turd," Mark Backus said.

Mark Backus said he intends to be at Samuel's fund-raiser dinner and auction, which runs from 3 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Buckley Eagles Hall. Tickets can be purchased at Mt. Rainier Bank in Buckley, Jump Start Espresso in South Prairie, Movies Plus in Buckley and at the door. Prices are $10 for adults, $5 for kids.

People with questions or who would like to contribute can contact Britschgi at 360-897-2922, Kelly Kosko at 360-829-0097 or Lori Wells at 360-829-0100.

Information on Samuel's health can be found at www.mom-and-me-creations.com. Donations can be made to Mt. Rainier Bank: Samuel Backus benefit fund.

Jessica Keller can be reached at jkeller@courierherald.com.