A Facebook post is getting noticed online after it revealed that a mother and her young son have both recently been diagnosed with forms of cancer. The woman, identified as Nicole Roche on the post, stated that she had previously revealed her own diagnosis of stage IV cervical cancer two months ago. However, her struggles didn’t end there. “On Thursday I took Wesley, our 4 year old son, to the ER for severe stomach pain. It was there that the doctors discovered a large tumor on his kidney. He was rushed to CHOP (almost by helicopter but it turned out in that situation ground would be faster) where it was confirmed that he has cancer.”

Roche expressed her shock at the revelation, writing, “HOW is this reality?” Her son was scheduled to have surgery to have his tumor and kidney removed Tuesday and will receive conventional chemotherapy afterward. Roche will also undergo her own treatments. Despite the devastating situation, Roche said she was placing her faith in God. “What I’ve learned now is that it’s time to let go of the ‘story’ because God has written one SO MUCH BIGGER than I could ever have imagined,” she wrote. “I never, in a million years, would have written it this way. But he has. And nothing he does is without purpose. God loves our son more than I ever could with my human heart, and he has a plan for both of us, and he has designed it this way for us to walk the road together. I didn’t choose this, but I’m ready for it, I accept it, and I surrender to it.” Roche went on to make a special acknowledgment of her husband, Alex, as well as her church and photography community for their support. “Never underestimate the power of community when it comes together with purpose and love. The love i have felt in my life these past 2 months is nothing short of unforgettable and transformative,” she wrote.

Another post shared a picture of Roche and Wesley embracing. Roche reflected on the difficulties of chemo treatment and how her son must receive certain treatments despite the pain they may cause. “Wes is so much braver than I have been. He makes me want to be strong like him and face my own treatment with more bravery. I don’t know if I’ll ever be comfortable with needles, ports, chemo, radiation … any of it. But if my baby is about to walk that road, then I will walk with him. I’ll be as brave as I can for him. He deserves that from me.” She asked for continued prayers for her family as she deals with the difficulties of her own cancer battle and her son’s. A GoFundMe has been started for the two, having earned over $40,000 as of Friday.