Three-year-olds are supposed to be bouncing off the walls, running around and living life to the fullest. They play hard and then crash hard at naptime.
These enigmatic creatures will throw their sticky hands around their mom’s neck for a hug, then skip off to draw, rock a baby doll or race toy cars. They’re bundles of energy.
Except when they have cancer.
It is unfathomable to imagine a precious wee one having such a devastating and tragic disease like cancer. John Oliver Zippay was just three years old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
In 2016, John Oliver, nicknamed JO, fell and hit his head on his bed’s headboard. The encounter left a bruise on his face. But that bruise never went away.
His parents had it checked out and after doctors performed a battery of tests, he was sent home. But then the family doctor called the Zippays in the middle of the night and instructed they rush their little boy to the emergency room without delay.
The Newbury, Ohio, tough boy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and was stuck in the hospital for 18 days, then segued into round after round of radiation and chemotherapy treatments for three years. A treatment plan involving steroids brought with it horrific side effects.
An implanted port meant JO had to abstain from all physical activity for three long and miserable years, his mom Megan Zippay said. It simply added insult to injury.
“He wasn’t able to do any physical activity for three years. So it was hard for him, had to sit back for gym class and things.”
Finally, JO had his last IV chemotherapy treatment.
It was the day he and his whole family had been dreaming of and couldn’t wait for. He rang the bell and was ecstatic to finally be able to return to his classroom and be among friends again, to resume being active and trying to live what he considered a “normal” life.
“You want that for your child, to grow up and get dirty and play outside and have fun and we kept him in a bubble so we’re excited. (We’re) looking forward to the future and having our little boy back”
Imagine JO’s surprise, though, when he walked into St. Helen Catholic School to a round of wild applause topped off with a standing ovation. School principal Patrick Gannon said that while he was gone, JO never lapsed in his homework.
“Him having to miss some of the time was tough, but the class was just so happy to see him come back.”
The students in their green and khaki school uniforms lined the halls, waiting for JO. The kids eagerly glanced around their friends standing next to them and the second they laid eyes on JO as he swaggered down the hall, they erupted into applause, thrilled to see him again.
Even staff members were in the hallway giving this little trooper a huge welcome home. At the end of the hallway of course was Mom and Dad who greeted him with hugs and smooches.
Watch how heartwarming this hero’s welcome happens to be in the video below. What a tough guy!
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