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Boy battling leukemia home in time for holidays

Posted at 11:24 PM, Dec 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-22 02:24:06-05

A 4-year-old boy who captured the hearts of local firefighters is home from the hospital just in time for the holidays. 

Deon Jeanmarie was diagnosed with leukemia December 13, 2016.

13 Action News first met him as he was gearing up for a bone marrow transplant in July. Local firefighters helped bring happiness to Deon as he prepared for the tough procedure 

Months later, Deon's transplant was successful and he's getting stronger every day, his mom Aurelia Jeanmarie said. 

Deon was in the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles for more than 100 days. His first bone marrow transplant failed, but doctors soon found a second match. 

"We were all very excited. His numbers started going up and we were very, very happy," Aurelia said. 

Aurelia and Deon returned back to Las Vegas on December 13. Exactly one year after he was diagnosed. 

"We're just excited to be home," Aurelia said. 

Deon's mom said the procedure did take a toll on him. 

"Unfortunately, one of the side effects that did happen is that Deon doesn't communicate with us very much anymore," she said. 

She's hoping he will soon return to the talkative child he was before.