Dominic Update #1
Hello friends! I want to take a moment to thank you all SO much for the outpouring of love, prayers, and well wishes that you have sent to Dominic. Our family is overwhelmed and humbled by the love and kindness of this community. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
So many of you have reached out since I shared Dominic’s diagnosis a few weeks ago, asking how he was doing and how his first treatment went.

At the end of that week, he had a full-body scan, had a central line placed, and then began his first round of chemotherapy. This was the very first treatment he received…

In the days during the treatment, he ran some fevers off and on, which required an extra night’s stay at the hospital, and he lost his appetite for about a day and a half, but then it gradually came back.
He kept busy with trips to the playroom on his floor, small Lego kits, a Kiwi & Co box, a mini Lite Brite, his new Nintendo Switch, daily bingo on the hospital TV, and loved to end each day with the Paw Patrol movie.




He came home feeling well and didn’t miss a beat, running around and playing with Joseph and Isabelle, and enjoying some beautiful weather outside. We had a lovely Easter all together at home 🐰
However, that Sunday night, he began running a fever, which we knew after having a central line placed, meant an automatic trip to the ER and most likely a 2-3 day stay at the hospital, during which they run blood cultures to make sure there isn’t an infection. He was clear of an infection, but his counts were very low (he was considered “neutropenic”), so he had to stay until they had gotten up to a safe level. He was back home on Thursday and rolled right into the weekend running around and playing.
Aside from a couple of days of low appetite, he hasn’t been sick thus far. He did start to lose his hair last week, so my husband gave him a buzz cut. Afterward, he looked in the mirror and said, “I look spiffy!” Oh to have the confidence, resiliency, and heart of a child 💙
Next up is round two of chemotherapy, beginning later this week.
Save This Recipe
Meanwhile…
Joseph got braces!

Isabelle turned 4!


We’ve been savoring the days we get to spend with everyone at home together, and getting outside to enjoy the beautiful weather whenever we get the opportunity!

Thank you all again for the continued prayers and for keeping Dominic in your thoughts. We know we are at the very beginning of what will be a long and winding road with many ups and downs, but are taking it one day at a time and appreciating each and every positive moment as they come ❤️



It was so wonderful to see the update about Dominic! I can’t even imagine all that your family and Dominic have been going through, and it is inspirational that you have the strength and frame of mind to update your online community about such an incredibly difficult time. Love and prayers to your precious boy Dominic. He looks as sweet and handsome as ever!
Dominic is such a strong little boy with such a great attitude to life. And with your strong family bonding it will help during the darker days of Dominic’s treatment. Hugs to Joseph and Isabelle.
OKAY EVERYBODY – READ THIS!!! I asked Michelle if she had a P.O. box where we could send cards for Dominic (who I think is the cutest.) I’ve seen stories on tv where ill children receive LOTS of mail & it cheers them up. Someone suggested sending post cards from your area so Dominic can research where they’re coming from.
SO – Please send cards to: Dominic Lettrich. PO Box 597, Wexford, PA 15090
Thanks so much for your help. We can do this for this precious little boy!
Sending prayers and love to your beautiful family. God Bless
I think of Dominic often and hope he responds well to the treatment. What an amazing and resilient little guy you have there! Sending healing thoughts and prayers to Dominic and your entire family.
Thank you for providing this update amidst everything going on with you and the family, Michelle. I’d visit your site regularly to look for an update, see dear Dominic’s photo and say a heartfelt prayer every time. I’m sure things will continue to improve. God bless you all and give you the strength to go through this trying time. Hugs to Dominic.
So happy to hear that you are all keeping positive and that Dominic is a warrior for sure. We will keep praying and know that God is listening to us. ❤️🙏🏻
Heartfelt love and prayers to you and your family. God will guide you through this, especially the really tough days. You have such a wonderful family and so much support. You are not alone in this journey. Stay brave and strong and everything will fall into place and all will be well.
Prayers continue for Dominic, the family,and his caregivers. He is a little trooper. Thank you for the update. May the good Lord hold you in his loving arms.
Sending your entire family love and prayers. Thank you for having the courage to share your story with all of us.
Michelle,
Thank you so much for the update. Dominic is truly a special little boy and I will continue to keep him and your family in my prayers. I have watched your children grow up through your blog and look forward to seeing their accomplishments. Each one of your children are adorable but Dominic has captured my heart from the beginning.
Prayers to continue for Dominic and strength and hope for the family. we should all have the spirit of your beautiful boy. You are so blessed. And will continue to be. xo bonnie
Hello Michelle and lovely family! I am a Pittsburgh native, raised a family and now enjoy the benefits of grand parenting. #5 is due in 3 short weeks.
We will definitely add Dominic to our prayer time and hope the close friends you have will ‘circle the wagons’ and protect your precious family.
In Jesus name and by His grace and mercy,
Kathleen Enick
I keep Dominic and your family in my prayers. He is the cutest!
Sending lots of prayers and love. ❤️
Thank you for sharing the update! I have been praying for all of you! God’s Blessings!
Continuing to think of and pray for your sweet family.
I want to send my prayers and encouragement. He can do it the chemotherapy I did and I am much older the grandma age. Just had a ct scan with good results. The little guy will be okay. Bless his heart.
Sending positive vibes. Praying for you, your husband and your little family. Being from Youngstown, so many of your recipes remind me of home.
Continuing to think of you and your family.♥ I love the color Joseph chose for his braces!
So sorry that you and your family are going through this most difficult time. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your very brave young fighter.
I’ve been reading since way before you married your “chief culinary consultant.” Your recipes are always perfect and it’s been so fun to watch your family grow. I know first hand that cancer is the scariest word in the English language when it’s referring to a loved one. However, now more than ever, there are reasons to be hopeful and optimistic. You must be an advocate for your child (as I’m sure your are) if you question something, ask or search for more information, Doctors are smart, but they aren’t always right, trust your gut, learn everything you can and think outside of the box. You can beat this, and your strong family unit and support system will help you more than you know.
Sending you and your family our very best and keeping you in our prayers.
Enzo and Nina Rossi
Praying for Dominic, you and your family during this trying time!
Thanks for the update. Somehow I missed the first post about Dominic. Sending you prayers for God to bless your precious family and heal Dominic. I have been following since before he was born. Seems like only yesterday.
Hey Dominic! Hope you’re having a super hero day!! Wake up every day with a smile on your face and love in your heart! Please hug your family for me! Your Grandpa Joe is a funny guy! 🐶
Lots of hugs and warm wishes coming your way! Love and hugs from Cousin Nancy in Florida! ❤️🤗🐶
Many thoughts and prayers are sent your way continually. All must stay well.
Something that might be fun would be to send postcards with our well wishes from our hometowns so that Dominic could find us on a map.
That’s a great idea!
OKAY EVERYBODY – READ THIS!!! I asked Michelle if she had a P.O. box where we could send cards for Dominic (who I think is the cutest.) I’ve seen stories on tv where ill children receive LOTS of mail & it cheers them up.
SO – Please send cards to: Dominic Lettrich. PO Box 597, Wexford, PA 15090
Thanks so much for your help. We can do this for this precious little boy!
I love this idea and can’t believe I missed your comment until today. I check daily for updates of any kind. I wonder if Michelle could include this on her next blog post (which could be awhile with all she’s dealing with) so everyone who doesn’t read all the comments will have the opportunity to take part in this. If anyone else knows of anything we can do to spread a little cheer or help in any way, big or small, please share . Im off to send a card and continue praying.
We are all in his corner praying for the best!
We arena in his corner praying for the best!