RAVENNA, Ohio — A Ravenna family is ready to ring in 2019. They have had a tough year and an unexpected diagnosis has them reflecting on what really matters in life.
"One day Dogman was looking up in the sky and he saw a girl fall from the sky," read Paxton DeWitt.
The 9-year-old boy loves drawing superhero comics.
He says if he had a superpower it would be kindness.
“Like if someone's bullying you and I saw it I would say kind words and stuff," he explained.
A bully of sorts knocked him down this year.
"I just feel like the bully pushed me down and gave me a bone disease," said Paxton.
Last May, he developed pain and sudden swelling in his hand and foot.
"Go to this doctor and go to that doctor," said his mom, Kayla DeWitt, who started searching for answers.
"Then, you see an oncologist and you know, you're like your world is crashing down," she recalled.
Months of testing and a biopsy finally led to an answer.
Paxton has a rare, inflammatory bone disease called Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis, or CRMO. It is diagnosed in kids usually right around his age and often causes pain and swelling of the long bones. Some kids will have just a few flare ups, others will have many more.
"So far, he appears to be in medicated remission,” said Kayla. “So, fingers crossed we just continue the path that we're on."
Paxton takes a daily, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug which appears to be working.
"Fight for your child when you know something is not right," said Kayla.
A lesson she says she learned in navigating this medical scare, along with a renewed appreciation for what really matters.
"Your faith and your family: Those are the two most important things in life that you need," she said.
Paxton has a scar on his outer thumb from his surgery. He said it’s kind of, “cool!”
It is not a cape, but no less super.
"He's such a good boy,” said mom. “He has such an old soul."
As well as a heroic heart. Battling bullies beyond your years develops powerful perspective.
“I just want everyone to have peace in this world," said Paxton about his wish for people in the new year.
