Strongman Jameson: Battle with Leukemia

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In the final days of 2020, Jeff and Noelle Creiglow noticed a troubling change in their four-year-old son, Jameson. A typically energetic and lively child, Jameson appeared unusually lethargic while visiting family in Arizona.

They were concerned and returned home early to California, but Jameson’s condition only worsened. He began experiencing intermittent fevers and Noelle took him to a hospital in Rancho Mirage. The doctors conducted blood tests and immediately determined that Jameson needed to be transferred to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital for further evaluation.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, only one parent was allowed inside the hospital. While Noelle stayed with Jameson, Jeff spent a week sleeping in his car outside, waiting for updates. Eventually, both parents were called into the doctor’s office, where they received devastating news: Jameson was diagnosed with Pre-B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a form of blood cancer that required immediate treatment.

“It was like all the air had been sucked out of the room,” Jeff recalled. “The doctors were talking to us, but it felt like everything was in slow motion. We didn’t know what to expect.”

Just two days after his biopsy, Jameson underwent surgery to have a port placed for chemotherapy. The weeks that followed were grueling. Due to hospital restrictions, Jeff and Noelle took turns staying with Jameson, working in shifts to ensure he was never alone. Jeff, who worked night shifts at his job, naturally took the nighttime hospital duties while Noelle stayed with their son during the day. When apart, they relied on FaceTime.

After two years, Jameson got to ring the celebratory cancer-free bell, marking the end of chemotherapy, but his family kept the celebration private, still wary of germs and unsure if it was truly over. Monthly clinic visits continued, with frequent blood draws to monitor his health.

Jameson went to the beach for his seventh birthday, but Noelle sensed something was wrong. That night, they were back at LLUCH where tests initially came back normal, but they still felt uneasy. Dr. Albert Kheradpour, Jameson’s oncologist, was at a conference but returned early to check on Jameson and ordered a biopsy. The results confirmed a rare type of relapse. Their intuition had been right, and Dr. Kheradpour trusted their concerns despite normal test results.

Jameson’s battle intensified when he relapsed. This time, the symptoms were far worse, requiring 10 days of radiation. He experienced severe neuropathy in his legs and jaw and Noelle recalled bathing him when his hair began falling out in clumps, a heartbreaking moment for the family.

Despite the hardships, Jameson’s spirit remained unshaken. He found comfort and companionship in the friendships he formed with fellow patients. The experience fostered a deep sense of community among families going through similar battles. Jeff and Noelle found themselves offering guidance to parents new to the process, sharing advice and providing comfort. “We had done this for over three years at this point,” Jeff said. “Now, we could help other families know what to expect.”

Jameson's resilience and wisdom beyond his years left a deep impact on those around him. Despite not fully understanding life, he had the ability to comfort the adults around him.

"We were in the hospital one night, and he said ‘Mom, it's okay, we can do hard things." One of the nurses was in the room with us and we were both in tears. This stuck and became our family motto,” said Noelle.

“He just put his arms up and he made the biggest like muscles, and that’s how he became Strongman Jameson,” said Jeff.

Jameson is set to finish treatment in July 2025, followed by monthly checkups and lab draws. His port is expected to be removed in April 2026, and by July 2030, doctors expect he will be considered cancer-free. Jeff and Noelle are eager to make up for lost time, and excited to create lasting memories with their family.