In May of 2019 at 7 months old, we found a lump in Hudson’s groin and rushed him to the ER. It was determined to be an enlarged lymph node, but doctors didn't know what was causing this. Hudson had multiple blood draws & ultrasounds, but doctors were unable to determine what was causing the lymph node to become so enlarged & swollen. Because it continued to enlarge, a surgeon decided it needed to be removed and biopsied.

Hudson had his first surgery at eight months old which was complicated due to the tumorous node starting to wrap around his femoral artery but thankfully, his surgeon was able to successfully remove it without causing any damage to Hudson’s leg. 

It was a week later we discovered our baby had a very rare disease called Histiocytosis. His specific form is known as Rosai Dorfman Disease (RDD) and were approximately only 1000 known cases worldwide at the time of his diagnosis.
This disease can attack lymph nodes as well as other parts of the body, including major organs and bones.
Thankfully Hudson's disease was isolated to his groin but at 13months old he required a second groin surgery to remove two more enlarged, tumorous nodes that were causing him pain. He’s currently suffering from joint pains and although his most recent scans have come back clear, his doctors believe the chronic pain being caused by his histio and has undergone months of physical therapy to help with his pain.  Because of his histio, Hudson has undergone multiple PET scans, brain MRI's, ultrasounds, x-rays, and over two dozen blood draws to monitor his health and disease.