Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 4/15/14. Staff MugsPeyton Ogle was all smiles Monday.
The 10-year-old Signal Mountain bundle of energy embraces every new day, and the second Leap Day of his young life was just another reason to celebrate.
It was cause to celebrate. Who knew what the day could hold? Maybe some range - he loves golf, after all. Maybe finding a spot for that golf trophy he won last weekend. Maybe a chance to spend another afternoon laughing with his dad, Chris, and mom, Steph.
An extra 24 hours is an extra day to do anything, especially when you are still a few years from becoming a teenager and already a cancer survivor.
The Ogle clan just completed five years of an emotional whirlwind.
In a lot of ways, for those of us with kids, it's not unlike when you were expecting your first child and other parents offered a kind, "It will change your life."
Soon-to-be parents have no idea how much it changes everything.
Take that life-changing overhaul, multiply it by, say, 1,000, and then add the paralyzing fear of your child having cancer. Welcome to the Ogles' world for the last five years.
The worst part is watching a 3 1/2-year-old fight for his life and not be able to help him. Watching him spike 107-degree fevers for 2 1/2 weeks in July 2008 as he fought leukemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and CMV pneumonia simultaneously.
Just watching and knowing that you were completely helpless. Watching him code, watching him look at you calmly and know that he had no blood pressure, a very weak pulse. Knowing that when they wheeled him off to intensive care you might not ever see him alive again that was a tough night.
Chris said Peyton never speaks of his disease. It's likely part defense mechanism and part hatred of the life-threatening unknown.
"Sheer will and determination," is how Chris described his son's approach. "Stephanie and I never really fully understood the tenacity that he showed. We saw it and never really understood it, were never able to fully appreciate the strength and determination that came from his 4-year-old little body."
Maybe that's one of the reasons Peyton has flourished with a golf club in his hand. The patience in a waiting room makes the debate between low irons or the decision of going for a par 5 in two or laying up look like, well, child's play.
"Biggest thing about him from my observations is his knowledge and love for the game," said Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club head professional Paul Helle, who works with Peyton.
"I honestly am learning just as much from him during golf lessons than he is from me. He also has the ability to hit golf shots, especially around the green, that very few at any level can hit. It is pretty awesome to watch golfers of all skill level and age stop their practice sessions just to watch him."
The news earlier this month about the cancer was glowing. The great work from the staff at T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger and now some visits to Vanderbilt have left Peyton in a much better place. The cancer has been turned back.
It's still there - as is the occasional bout of joint pain - and there are some kidney issues from all the chemotherapy treatments, but the Ogles are hopeful. They are are always hopeful. And resilient.
"Peyton was remarkably calm," Chris said. "Through everything he endured. He was always the same cheerful, determined little boy. There were days that were hard. There were good days as well. He never gave up, ever."
Here's betting he never will.
Go pick on someone else, cancer. Peyton Ogle has too much to do to be bothered by you.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com. His "Right to the Point" column runs on A2 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.