Ever since the day their parents brought them home from the hospital as newborns, twins Zane and Zac Taylor have always done everything together.
They learned to walk and talk in tandem and started preschool in the same classroom, conquering all the usual milestones side by side.
Now, the identical five-year-old twins are experiencing the unimaginable together.
They are both battling cancer.
‘It doesn’t even seem possible.’
In February, less than two weeks apart, both boys were diagnosed with leukemia. The family had moved from their native Nebraska to South Lyon, Michigan for dad Bob Taylor’s job at Chevrolet
First Zac came down with a rash, fever and extreme lethargy. Doctors said it appeared to be a bad case of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, but when symptoms persisted a blood test was ordered.
The boys’ mum Marty Taylor was in the middle of registering her sons for kindergarten when she got the call to say Zac needed to go to the ER immediately.
Then, less than two weeks later, came more shocking news. The Taylors had taken Zane to the doctor for a small fever because of concerns he may pose a threat to his brother’s vulnerable immune system.
That night they got the dreaded call again, and Zane was taken to the hospital. Doctors confirmed both brothers had the same type of cancer: acute lymphocytic leukemia.
“It doesn’t even seem possible,” Bob told Michigan Health. “It’s so shocking to comprehend that both of your kids are fighting cancer at the same time. Even as I’m saying it right now, it doesn’t seem like it could be true.”
Rare and unexpected
Mott pediatric oncologist Rama Jasty Rao, M.D. says a double diagnosis in twins is rare.
“The odds of both twins getting this type of cancer at age five are so small. It was very unexpected,” she says. “Taking care of one child with leukemia is intense enough. To have two kids diagnosed at the same time, it’s unbelievable.”
Now in the care of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, both boys, who have a four-year-old sister, Zoe, are responding very well to chemotherapy and are mostly ‘back to themselves’ during breaks in treatment.
“I’m so amazed by how strong they are,” Bob added. “They are such a strong example for us. No matter how bad they’re feeling, they still shine with their great personalities. They are both so loving and courageous.”
The Taylors are sharing their story as part of Block Out Cancer month at Mott, which helps raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer research.
You can follow the boys’ progress on their mum Marty’s blog here.
Images: Main photograph: The Taylor Family and Mott. Zac and Zane: martycordero.blogspot.ie
