patient story

patient name: Lincoln Johnson

age: 3

condition: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

seen in: hematology/oncology

Whether he’s watching Paw Patrol or hanging with the pet therapy dogs at Dayton Children’s, 3-year-old Lincoln Johnson can’t get enough of these furry friends! Along with the Johnsons’ friends and family, they are all helping provide support and motivation during Lincoln’s journey with leukemia. 

first symptoms 

In January 2023, Lincoln wasn’t acting like himself. He was overly tired, wasn’t eating and started getting bruises all over his body. Meagan, Lincoln’s mom, suddenly had a gut feeling that it might be something serious. She made an appointment with their pediatrician who did some bloodwork and prepared Meagan and her husband, Tyler, that whatever Lincoln was feeling probably “wasn’t a great thing,” Meagan said.

Once the results came in, the Johnsons were immediately sent to Dayton Children’s. Lincoln’s white blood cell count was extremely high, and they wanted to start treatment right away. They arrived at the emergency department and were met by Rachael Courtney, DO, pediatric hematologist and oncologist at Dayton Children’s.

“Dr. Courtney grabbed my hand and cried with me. It just meant a lot that this oncologist and doctor is here crying with me on the worst day of my life. I felt so taken care of from that moment on with Dayton Children’s,” Meagan shared. 

diagnosis and a new reality

After more testing, Lincoln was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-cell ALL) and began treatment right away. The Johnsons' whole world was changed, and they entered a new reality filled with medications, treatments and appointments.

The first few months of treatment were mostly outpatient care – the Johnsons would go in once a week for Lincoln’s chemotherapy infusion, he would take some oral chemotherapy at home, and would sometimes get home care. Lincoln then started more inpatient treatment, including lumbar punctures.

This new reality affected not only Meagan and Tyler, but also Lincoln’s siblings, Clayton and Blakely. At just 7 and 5 years old, Meagan is both grateful for their wanting to help with Lincoln, and protective of trying to alter their lives as little as possible. “They’ll take care of their brother when he’s having care at home as best as they can. They’ll help with Lincoln’s backpack, make sure he doesn’t trip over his ‘tubey.’. The kids definitely bring me up,” Meagan said. 

building a support network 

As Lincoln’s treatment went on, the Johnsons realized they weren’t able to do it alone. Between their friends, families and coworkers, and their newfound family at Dayton Children’s, the Johnsons started learning to lean on those around them. Whether it is Tyler’s work being understanding and accommodating, their family taking care of Clayton and Blakely when Lincoln is at the hospital, or child life offering to give Meagan a short break when they’re at the hospital, Meagan is grateful for all the help and support they are receiving. 

“We are very much ‘I’ll do it myself’ people. This experience has humbled me. I have to ask for help and be open to accepting help when it’s offered. I’m still learning to do that,” Meagan said. 

remission and ongoing treatment 

Now, after six months of treatment, Lincoln is in remission! His most recent tests showed 0% of his cells have leukemia. To make sure the cancer doesn’t come back, Lincoln’s treatment will continue for another two years. “All these phases of treatment are to try to attack leukemia from every angle possible,” Meagan said.

 a care team turned family 

“Our nurses and everyone just love Lincoln so much, and light up when they seem him. It feels like they love him like I do. That love for him makes me emotional as his mom. It never ceases to amaze me how much they care,” Meagan shared. “From the start, they said, we may not have wanted to be, but we were now part of their family. At the end of this experience, you hope you won't need to see your care team again, but that’s sad too. It’s bittersweet.”