Miles Nelson remembered as a loving kid

 
In August of 2017  Jacob and April Nelson got some of the worst news imaginable by doctors.
They were told that their child Miles had Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) a rare cancer for children that is much more aggressive than ALL which is the form of Leukemia that most children are diagnosed with.
The diagnosis for Miles came right after his second birthday when his mother brought him in for his checkup.
After the doctor examined him he told her that Miles looked perfectly healthy and then asked the routine question of “Is there anything that you are concerned about.”
April responded by letting the doctor know that she had noticed an excessive amount of bruising on Miles more than what you see for a typical two year old.
The doctor ordered blood tests and a few hours later April was called and was told to take Miles to the Emergency Room immediately due to some of the blood levels being off.
That night April and Jacob were informed that Miles may have cancer and the next morning their worst nightmare came true.
Miles was diagnosed with AML.
Ever since that day however the West Concord and the surrounding community has come together to help the family in any way they can.
“The community has been very supportive from day one,” said April,  “Someone’s offering to help in some way every single day,” she added.  
Since August of 2017 Miles fought hard against his illness until he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his parents on Saturday.
While Miles was able to pass comfortably at home with his parents by his side it took a very tough decision by parents a few months ago, a decision no parents ever want to face.
After five rounds of chemotherapy with the hopes he would be in remission his cancer ended up coming back and spread.
After two more unsuccessful attempts Miles’ parents were faced with a choice in July.
They had the option to continue with trials and other treatment options with a very low chance the cancer would ever be cured or allow Miles to be taken home and live his life to the best of his ability during the short time he had on earth.
Jacob and April decided to take him home and did everything they could do with him which included things like letting Miles fly in a helicopter and making as many memories as they could with him.
Jacob and April are very grateful for the fact that the community and their employers
Tom Kadlec Honda and Foldcraft in Kenyon gave them the support they needed including getting time off in order to spend as much time as they could with their son.
“We’re thankful for the community support and our employers for giving us the time to be with him and make memories with him,” said April, “They allowed us to be by his side,” she added.
 
Miles the positive kid
 
“He always had a way to make everybody smile,” that’s how Jacob  simply described the personality that Miles had for the three years he was on earth.
Miles was also a very loving kid.
His parents used to love that he would always come up to them and give them hugs and was always very loving towards them and everyone he encountered.
“If you were sitting on the couch he would always put his arms around you,” Jacob said.
When asked what their favorite memory was with Miles Jacob said with a smile “aside all of them?”
One of the memories that they shared was the fact that Miles always had a way to have fun no matter what the situation was including during his 4-6 weeks in  the hospital during his chemo treatments.
One of the memories that they have during this time is how Miles would be the only child in the children's wing of the hospital that would be running up and down the hallway with his rain boots on and umbrella in hand yelling “It’s raining outside,” even though he couldn’t go outside.
Miles was also described by his parents as a very sharing kid even sharing his favorite food which was bacon with people. He was also described as someone who loved being outside especially on 4 wheelers.
The legacy of Miles will forever be a positive one for the smiles he brought to the many peoples lives that he touched during his short time on earth.
While his time here was cut way to short he did one thing.
He got to enjoy being a kid.
 
Wake Service: Visitation will be Wednesday, October 31, 2018, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 25 South Street in Dodge Center and one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.
 
Funeral: The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2018, at St. John Baptist de la Salle Catholic Church, 20 2nd Street NE, in Dodge Center with Father Thomas Niehaus celebrating.