Reid William Gleeson, first-born son of Megan and Bill Gleeson, was the sweetest and most loved little boy with the brightest blue eyes. During his five beautiful years, Reid had so many loves in his life: he LOVED his little brother, Brady, his PDB (puppy dog blanket), reading books, playing ninja warrior, throwing water balloons, doing trick shots, driving his gator, golfing, swimming, going to parks, family museums, and frequenting Disney World along with Give Kids the World Village. However, Reid’s biggest loves were his mommy, daddy, and garbage trucks.
From his first breath Reid was a perfect, healthy, and happy little guy. However, at 27 months Reid began having vomiting episodes and difficulty with his balance. After a few weeks that included multiple visits to doctors and a local ER trip, his parents made the decision to take him to Iowa City. On August 26, 2017, their lives forever changed when they heard those terrible words: “Your child has cancer.”
From his initial scan, they learned that Reid had a large tumor located in the back of his brain and small tumors along his spine. He had emergency surgery due to hydrocephalus; then, two days later he had another brain surgery to remove the large tumor located in his cerebellum. Soon after, the Gleesons found out Reid’s cancer was called Medulloblastoma. From that point on they began learning all of the things they needed to know to help Reid beat this terrible disease.
Surgery was very successful, and Reid was back to walking, talking, and eating within a few days. It was incredible. However, this was just the beginning of his journey. Reid then had surgery to place a hickman line and began six months of aggressive inpatient chemotherapy which included three stem cell transplants. Reid’s chemo cycles included a week-long stay for chemotherapy; then, the family headed home. However, this only lasted a few short days before Reid would develop a fever due to his white blood counts being so low. So, the Gleesons would pack up and head back to the hospital where Reid could receive blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, and IV antibiotics until his counts recovered.
It was a long six months, and these chemos were so tough … but Reid was tougher. His parents were constantly chasing him around with an IV pole while he was dribbling basketballs, golfing, bowling, and playing volleyball in the hallway. For Reid, there was no time for naps or complaining. He always had things to do. He loved exploring the hospital and checking out all of the garbage and recycling cans. He spent many Saturdays on floor 12 watching the Hawkeye games and participating in the iconic Wave. Reid loved to look out at the football field, but he really loved to point out all of the green and yellow garbage cans and the purple port-a-potties around the stadium. He truly was a garbageman at heart.
Reid soared through his treatments without a hiccup, and by March 2018 the Gleesons were safe at home hoping everything was behind them. It was time to end this part of their story and get their lives back to normal.
Three short months later Reid began having difficulty walking. A scan revealed that Reid’s cancer had returned all along his brain and spine. It was absolutely devastating, and the only hope for curing him was through radiation. Reid endured six weeks of daily anesthesia and radiation at Mayo in Rochester. He handled it like a champ, and by the end, he was back to running and playing like his old self. Following radiation, he began another six month chemo regimen through St. Jude in collaboration with The University of Iowa – everyone was hopeful that this treatment would clear the rest of his disease.
Reid finished his chemo in March of 2019 and was declared NED (no evidence of disease). His family was thrilled! However, the very next day the Gleesons got a call explaining that the radiologist had found a new spot on Reid’s optic nerve which was suspicious for disease. How many times could this happen to sweet Reid? Three weeks later Reid had another scan, and the spot had grown. Reid had relapsed for a second time, and his treatment options were running low.
Over the next year Reid endured three different chemo regimens in hopes to keep his disease at bay. Reid’s parents and team chose lower doses of chemo to keep Reid’s quality of life high. They did not want Reid spending his nights in the hospital anymore. So, Reid did outpatient chemo. This allowed him to attend four year old preschool, visit Disney three times, make many trips to the parks, pools, trampoline parks, bowling alleys, and spend quality time with his family. He was a normal four year old enjoying his life – despite many trips to “hotel hospital” for treatment.
In February 2020, following an awesome Disney trip, Reid became ill and was in the hospital for almost three weeks dealing with fevers and seizures. On top of that, his disease was progressing. Reid started a new oral chemo in the hospital, but Reid’s family were told it would be a miracle if it helped. Reid’s mom and dad brought him home in March knowing he may only have a few days left. But then, something amazing happened. The chemo worked.
Reid’s family got seven more months with their sweet Reid. Reid made it to his 5th birthday in May, he was there when his baby brother, Carver, was born in June, and he spent an extra four months making memories with family.
Sweet, brave, beautiful Reid became an Angel October 13, 2020, and, although devastated, his family is grateful he is finally free from this terrible disease. The Gleesons continue to honor Reid and his legacy through the Rally for Reid Foundation helping others who face these impossible challenges.