As Cody Winkler graduated from Bristow High School in 2014, his entire life awaited him. Like his fellow graduates, he did not know what the future held, but he was excited to take the next step. Also like his peers, his life has proven to be drastically different ten years later, but unlike the majority of his 2014 BHS comrades, Cody and his family now find themselves in dire need of Bristow’s support—an effort led by his mother, Laura.
For Cody and his growing family, life-changing challenges began earlier this year with the birth of his youngest son. Although his son’s birth occurred through a planned cesarean section, what followed was anything but planned and expected.
During birth, the baby swallowed significant amounts of fluid. As a result, he was life flighted from McAlester to Tulsa. Later, his right lung collapsed.The baby required intensive, life-saving treatment, including the placement of drainage tubes and use of mechanical ventilation and resulting in a stay of 32 days in the NICU, neonatal intensive care unit, at St. Francis Hospital.
Throughout the baby’s NICU stay, both his parents, Cody and Megan, and his paternal grandmother, Laura Winkler of Bristow, spent extensive time away from work and home to help care for him and his brother, especially when his survival remained in doubt. Now, at 7 months of age, the baby is thriving; sadly, Cody is facing his own life-threatening medical crisis.
As spring came to a close and summer began, the baby’s health continued to improve, but Cody became extremely tired and dizzy, experienced excessive sweating and nausea, broke out in chills and rashes, and stopped eating. He began to rapidly lose weight as well. His family assumed he might be suffering from heat exhaustion and encouraged him to consume more fluids, rest, and then visit an emergency depart- See Benefit, Page Two ment at the hospital to ward off a potential heatstroke episode; unfortunately, what Cody was enduring had nothing to do with the heat and could not be easily nor quickly addressed.
After numerous tests, hospital stays, and specialist consultations, Cody was eventually diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, AML, with NPM1 mutation, an aggressive blood cancer. Complicating matters, Cody also learned he has hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, HLH, a disorder causing extreme levels of lifethreatening inflammation.
Once the HLH and AML were identified and diagnosed, Cody immediately began treatment, which consisted of “extreme amounts of steroids and consolidated chemotherapy” according to his wife, Megan. To date, Cody has repeatedly endured lengthy hospital stays, chemotherapy and steroidal treatments, extensive testing, bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, and more to monitor and prepare his body for future treatments and life-saving measures. Laura shared that Cody may also require stem cell transplants.
The year began with excitement for the birth of their son but quickly devolved into desperation for his survival. Within four months, the baby’s health had markedly improved, leaving the family hopeful about the future. Unfortunately, they were blindsided by the rapid deterioration of Cody’s health. Now, as he faces lengthy and expensive treatments in efforts to save his life, Cody and his family need Bristow’s support, especially since the earliest he will be able to return to work remains more than a year away. In an effort to raise funds in support of her son, Laura has organized a benefit fundraiser. Bristowan Nancy Findlay, her friend, is helping her.
Next week, on Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., a leukemia cancer benefit event will be held in support of Cody and his young family at Trinity Baptist’s Roland Tidwell Youth Center at 520 West 4th Avenue. The benefit event will include a yard sale, vendor booths, bake sale, silent auction, and 50/50 raffle. All funds raised will provide for Cody’s family throughout his treatments.
With so many local families facing cancer diagnoses, Bristowans prove consistently resilient and compassionate in supporting each other, and with apropos timing, September is leukemia and lymphoma awareness month. Be sure to get out next weekend in support of BHS alumnus Cody Winkler. Email Laura at clwink2@yahoo.com to secure a booth space or make a donation.