They’ve got jobs, they’ve got their own kids, and they are going out of their way to set something up to make Liam feel special. The community has just been unbelievable. Without all of that, we would be in a very dark place.”

Lincoln Chapman

In early December, a group of dads whose kids play sports together gathered at the Tiverton home of Stacie and Lincoln Chapman, intent on creating an elaborate holiday display inside and outside the house, in time for a long-awaited homecoming later in the month. 

The Chapmans’ seven-year-old son, Liam, had been at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, undergoing a grueling medical regimen following a diagnosis of leukemia the week before Thanksgiving. He was discharged on Friday, Dec. 15, after 26 days of treatment.

Stacie and Lincoln said the family was blown away when they pulled into the driveway and saw that their home had been transformed for the holidays. For them, it symbolized the way the community has embraced their family after Liam’s devastating diagnosis. 

“When we talk about community, it’s examples like that,” said Lincoln. “Here they are, busy with their own lives. They’ve got jobs, they’ve got their own kids, and they are going out of their way to set something up to make Liam feel special. The community has just been unbelievable. Without all of that, we would be in a very dark place.”

The diagnosis

In the days leading up to Liam’s diagnosis, the Chapmans had a typical hectic week focused on school and family activities and sports. The only thing that seemed off was Liam’s complaints of a stomach ache. Additionally, mid-week, after attending a sports banquet, both Liam and his mom came down with COVID.

Stacie began to worry that Liam’s stomach ache, which was getting worse, might be a sign of appendicitis. On Sunday, Nov. 19, she took him to the emergency room at Hasbro. After waiting for close to six hours, medical staff finally saw him and suggested his discomfort was simply a side effect from COVID. 

Lincoln said his wife’s “mama bear” instincts kicked in. Since Liam was in pain before he had COVID, she refused to leave the hospital until she had answers.

Results from routine blood work came back quickly, Stacie said, and she was called into a private room.

“I’m thinking, if they’re bringing me in a room, this isn’t good. That’s when they told me, Liam has leukemia. “His white blood cell count was sky high.”

The official medical term is T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Stacie likened the hours that followed to an out-of-body experience. “You are thinking, worst case scenario, your kid has appendicitis…You just can’t believe it. The news came so quickly. It wasn’t like, ‘well things don’t look right and you’re going to stay overnight and we are going to run more tests.’ It was immediate and very direct.”

Medical staff told her afterwards she did the right thing by refusing to go home. “You knew something wasn’t right,” they said.

Lincoln, who was home with Liam’s 10-year-old brother, Sam, said the news was “scary, shocking, life shattering…life was turned upside down for everybody in the family.”

The treatment and the prognosis

Liam spent five days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and was then transferred to the general ward. Stacie stayed at the hospital continuously at the start, and then she and Lincoln took turns, usually alternating every two days so a parent was with their son continuously, until his return home. 

The couple described the 26 days that Liam was hospitalized as intense. Continuous chemotherapy infusions began immediately and will continue for the next two years. Liam’s medication initially included steroids, which caused mood swings and angry outbursts that were disconcerting for the family.

“He is a very loving, caring, athletic kid,” said Lincoln. “He is starting to show signs of the old self which is great to see, but dealing with the anger was very tough on the family. You are not used to it. It is not Liam.”

Stacie said Liam’s personality always matched the fiery red hair he had before the chemo-related hair loss. “He’s a little firecracker – your typical second born – adorable, a momma’s boy, funny, athletic, sweet and beautiful.”

He is a second grader at Saint Philomena School in Portsmouth, but his attendance has been infrequent since the diagnosis. Once his medical treatment is more predictable, his parents expect he will be back at school at least four days a week.

The Chapmans tend not to dwell on their everyday struggles, which include navigating the continuous disruptions to their working lives. Instead, they circle back to their sense of gratitude, including how overwhelmed they are by the support they’ve received from those connected with St. Philomena and Hasbro.

“People talk about the duality of cancer,” Stacie said. “While it’s one of the worst things that can happen to a family, one of the only bright spots during this time is the love and support from those around us. You don’t realize how much we are all connected to a community.”

An example of that community support came during a recent ceremony at the Tiverton Police Department when the family was invited to stop by to receive a $5,000 check from the Cops for Kids with Cancer organization. It was presented by Kevin Calnan, a member of the board, while police officers and K-9 Blue looked on. The police department is also behind a fundraising basketball tournament planned for April 6.

Liam’s current visits to Hasbro for treatment are sporadic and frequent, making regular school attendance a challenge. Beginning in March, he will be there each and every Thursday for treatment. The Chapmans are optimistic about the future, as their doctors say there is a 90 percent success rate for treatment of this type of leukemia. 

“Because of the longevity of the treatment plan, they are confident it will never come back,” said Lincoln. “His last day, as long as there are no hiccups, will be Dec. 29, 2025.