BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Photo Above: T.J. Esco stands with Wetumpka Police Department personnel who helped to give a police escort back to Elmore County Friday.
T.J. Esco, of Tallassee is only 10, but he has already fought battles in his young life that have forced him to understand harsh realities.
Diagnosed at just six-years-old with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with CNS relapse, the past years has been filled with treatments, hospital stays and bad dreams. But along the way it also brought tremendous community and medical support as well as new friends.
On Friday, it was a time to celebrate and realize he has a team behind him all the way. T.J. went to a Birmingham hospital to have his treatment port removed, which will allow him a lot more freedom.
On the way home, the family’s vehicle was met by First Responders from Elmore County including the Elmore County Sheriff’s deputies and Wetumpka Police Department for a police escort to Russell Do It Center on U.S. 231. There, the family was joined by the Wetumpka Fire Department, Mayor Jerry Willis and other friends and family for a short celebration.
It is hopefully the beginning of a new normal for T.J. that involves more interaction, and time to just be a kid.
T.J. began showing signs of medical issues when he was just five-years-old, and would later be diagnosed beginning a series of treatments.
Elmore/Autauga News readers may remember when we asked for those in the area to send cards of support for the young man. His mother, Marianne Esco, said he received over 500 cards and it was very exciting to see the prayers and encouragement.
Grandmother Dede Harbin said she is so excited that for now T.J. can relax a bit, and she is so proud of how strong he has been throughout tough times.
On her Facebook page, mother Marianne spoke of the First Responder escort and public support for her son.
“Wow where do I begin?” she wrote. “TJ has beaten the beast we call cancer. He was diagnosed when he had just turned 6. Today he is two months from being 11. He has endured 4 1/2 years of chemotherapy, radiation, seizures, brain bleeds and every known side effect that could have been possible. He was brave through all of it.”
She said that through this ordeal, the family has made wonderful friends, and are forever thankful to so many people and organizations. From the nurses, doctors, CNAs, food services and environmental, there were those who stepped up and showed the family tremendous support.
“Today was what I am calling the final day to this journey even though we will still have many doctor appointments each month. Today they removed his port. He will no longer have to go to the ER with fever. We can do normal things and he can be a child,” she said.
“Thank you to the Wetumpka Police Department, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, The Wetumpka Herald, Elmore/Autauga News and Mayor Jerry Willis for giving T.J. an escort to Russell Do It Center and for all that came out and showed support. I cannot begin to thank everyone enough. It was so nice to finally be able to celebrate,” Marianne said.
There are three others who she said were the strongest of the strong in helping T.J. fight his battle.
“My husband Tim Esco. For your love and support. We have been able to put our lives on hold for the past 5 years and now we can breathe again. My girls Jessica Esco and Christine Esco Hudson. You have been so strong and brave. You had to grow up fast and without us a lot. You have loved your brother unconditionally. I love you both dearly.”
She asked that prayers continue for her son, but is hopeful that the T.J. truly has beaten the beast.
Thank you to everyone who has prayed and supported this family over the past five years. Please continue to pray for T.J.. See more photos below!
