💔 R.I.P! 90 Day Fiancé Tragedy: Deavan Clegg & Jihoon Lee Heartbroken as Beloved Son Taeyang Loses His Brave Battle With Cancer
90 Day Fiancé alum Deavan Clegg’s son Taeyang, whom she shares with ex-husband Jihoon Lee, is currently in a heartbreaking battle with childhood cancer.
In May 2022, the TLC alum made the sad announcement that her son was diagnosed with cancer.
“I’m overcome with so much emotion and devastation to announce that my beloved son Taeyang, who just celebrated his third birthday last week, was just diagnosed with childhood cancer,” Deavan wrote via Instagram alongside heartbreaking photos of the toddler in the hospital. “He has already undergone multiple procedures and started chemotherapy treatment just two days ago. Taeyang will need around-the-clock hospital care and this will be a long two-year process that has a high success rate of full recovery in five years.”
How is Taeyang doing amid his b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia battle?
Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
June 2022
Deavan shared that Taeyang completed his first month of chemotherapy in June 2022.
“Our world turned upside down 27 days ago. But Taeyang is so strong and brave,” Deavan wrote. “He’s doing better and getting into the routine of his appointments. His hair is starting to thin. He is so inspiring.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
July 2022
“Happy 4th of July from our little man. He’s been trapped in the house all month. He finally got the okay from doctors to go out and have a little fun. Sadly chemo is hitting him hard and his hair has finally fallen out. But he loves his new look,” she shared.
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
August 2022
“Taeyang is doing well and fighting cancer the best he can. I found myself to fall down a dark deep hole where I couldn’t find the strength to get online and update everyone,” the reality TV star penned. “I don’t want to lose my baby and this journey is very difficult.”
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Courtesy of Elicia Clegg/Instagram
September 2022
The 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way alum thanked her partner as he supported her through this difficult time.
“Cancer is difficult… especially childhood cancer. September is childhood cancer awareness month. It’s been the hardest three months of my life and my family,” the mom of two wrote composed in September. “We love our Taeyang so much and he is a true fighter. Thank you @hyu.nw for being the best daddy for him.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
September 2022
“Taeyang hasn’t been feeling well and has been losing a lot of weight due to chemotherapy,” Deavan shared on September 22. “I wanted him to be comfortable, so we went to our local Minky Couture. He really wanted the ghost blanket. We went to check out and I was shocked to see they donated the blanket to Taeyang.”
Taeyang’s mom went on to say that he was “so overwhelmed” and could not thank the store enough for their “kind gesture.”
“It brought me to tears,” she added.
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
September 2022
“We will continue to fight together and stand by you Taeyang,” Deavan shared in an Instagram update. “Thank you everyone for being so supportive of Taeyang’s cancer journey. 3 months of Chemotherapy down hopefully just 22 more to go. The journey is just beginning.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
September 2022
The mom of two uploaded a compilation of video clips documenting Taeyang’s recent hospital visits.
“Going to the hospital 1-2 times a week has been rough. But Taeyang is a fighter! Leukemia sucks but Taeyang is doing well with treatment,” she detailed on September 30 via Instagram. “I can never tell you how grateful I am for everyone’s support and love.”
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Courtesy of Elicia Clegg/Instagram
October 2022
On October 3, Taeyang’s maternal grandmother, Elicia, shared some good news with the family’s followers.
“Taeyang did NOT have an allergic reaction to yhe new chemotherapy…it was a long day but baby boy is back home resting 💙,” she wrote via Instagram.
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
November 2022
Deavan spent her 26th birthday in the hospital with Taeyang.
“Taeyang had to get an emergency blood transfusion and it was terrifying,” she shared via her Instagram Stories on November 15. “Another reminder of how scary cancer can be. I’m just happy I could be by his side and hold him closely today.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
November 2022
Deavan revealed via Instagram Taeyang was hospitalized after suffering from a “bad cold.”
“I don’t normally like sharing photos like this. But this is reality this is real life,” the reality star captioned her post on November 20. “Last night, Taeyang was rushed to the emergency room with a fever of 102. This can be deadly for children going through chemotherapy. While in the ER, we found out he needed an emergency blood transfusion, which we found shocking because he had just had a blood transfusion days prior. The thought of if I didn’t bring him, he might have not woken up in the morning will haunt me.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg
November 2022
Deavan took to Instagram on the evening of November 20 to share a positive update with fans.
“Taeyang’s transfusion was successful. All labs came back and his fever dropped. We are happy to say we are back home,” she wrote. “Thank you everyone for your support.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
November 2022
While Taeyang had initially been doing well since being hospitalized for a bad cold, the mom of three explained that things took a turn on November 26.
“Everything was fine until tonight,” Deavan shared with her followers via her Instagram Stories. “Taeyang’s fever came back, and we rushed to the ER. They took chest X-rays, and it looks like he has pneumonia.”
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Courtesy of Jihoon Lee/Instagram
November 2022
While Jihoon had previously been silent on his son’s battle with childhood cancer, the South Korea native resurfaced on Instagram on November 20 with a reposted update taken from Deavan’s Instagram Story.
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
November 2022
Deavan seemingly slams her absent ex-husband via her Instagram Stories on November 28. The mom of three first reposted a TikTok that emphasized that a child needed a father figure that understood his kids come before “immature selfishness.”
“A lot of people think that a child needs their dad, I don’t agree,” the video went on. “A child needs a safe dad, a consistent dad, a providing dad … A dad that respects his child’s mother. If he is not that dad, a child doesn’t need them.”
In another slide, she praised her boyfriend Topher for stepping into the patriarch role for her kids.
“Blood doesn’t make a father,” she wrote alongside a reposted Instagram Reel. “Thankful for @hyu.nw.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
November 2022
Deavan seemingly slams her absent ex-husband via her Instagram Stories on November 28. The mom of three first reposted a TikTok that emphasized that a child needed a father figure that understood his kids come before “immature selfishness.”
“A lot of people think that a child needs their dad, I don’t agree,” the video went on. “A child needs a safe dad, a consistent dad, a providing dad … A dad that respects his child’s mother. If he is not that dad, a child doesn’t need them.”
In another slide, she praised her boyfriend Topher for stepping into the patriarch role for her kids.
“Blood doesn’t make a father,” she wrote alongside a reposted Instagram Reel. “Thankful for @hyu.nw.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
December 2022
Unfortunately, Taeyang’s health took another turn for the worse the week of Christmas 2022.
“Health update. Taeyang has had a very difficult week. His chemo dosage was raised. He hasn’t had the best reaction this time. He has a bad chemo rash, nose bleeds and hasn’t been able to eat,” Devan wrote on December 18. “We are doing our best to keep him hydrated. He’s been resting. We are happy he at least got to visit Santa before this. I will keep everyone updated.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
December 2022
On December 19, Deavan revealed that Taeyang had bee hospitalized for his reaction to his new chemotherapy dosage.
“Health update.. Taeyang is having a bad reaction to chemotherapy.. many children and adults deal with mouth troubles. Unfortunately Taeyang has it a little bit rougher,” she wrote via Instagram. “He has ulcers in his throat. His body has reacted poorly this go around. Rashes, bloody nose, and sores on his mouth causing his lips to peel severely. Because of this he isn’t eating. He’s in a lot of pain but we are managing it now. Will hopefully have updates in the morning. He is our fighter and so brave. Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
December 2022
After nearly one day in the hospital, Deavan shared another update on her son’s health via Instagram.
“Taeyang’s body didn’t react well to his chemo… right now they are giving him medicine to counter active the chemo medicine.. we are on day 6 of no food,” Deavan wrote on December 20. “Next step is installing a feeding tube so we can get him the nutrients he needs. We will be in the hospital for a couple days.. we are really hoping he will get better in time for Christmas. If not we will have Christmas at the hospital for T.”
She added, “We don’t know much right now.. hopefully we will know more in a few hours. Definitely a huge scare. Two days after Taeyang received chemotherapy a weird rash appeared all over his body. He also began getting nose bleeds that would last up to 2-3 hours. He became weak and pale and couldn’t speak. He’s been mute for a couple days now. What really scared us was his top lip completely peeling off… side affects for chemotherapy is very scary… we are getting him taken care of asap. They are working on healing his skin and getting him back to health. Hopefully we won’t be here long. #chemotherapy #childhoodcancer.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
December 2022
While Deavan seemed heartbroken about her son’s health scare right before Christmas, she seemed to keep a positive outlook and trusted that his care team will help him through it.
“Taeyang isn’t doing well … but we have a plan in place,” she wrote, while gushing over her baby boy. “He’s very strong.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
December 2022
Thankfully, by the evening of December 20, Deavan had some good news to share with her followers.
“Little man is asleep … he’s doing so much better,” she wrote via Instagram Story. “We finally got the feeding tube placed. Good night everyone. Thank you so much for the support, it means the absolute world to me.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
December 2022
Deavan gave fans another update as Taeyang battles a “severe case of mucotitis [sic],” saying that she is “very scared for our little warrior.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Mucositis is a painful inflammation of the mucosa — the protective mucous membrane that lines your entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from your mouth through your intestines.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
December 2022
Deavan gave followers another update on December 22, sharing some positive news about Taeyang.
“Taeyang Update. We haven’t heard Taeyang speak in days … after taking out his feeding tube because of complications. He all [of a] sudden is speaking and playing. We are overjoyed,” she wrote on Instagram. “He hasn’t really been able to play or speak. We don’t know what happened but we are happy. He was also able to eat 4 grapes and drink half his milk on his own. This morning we were terrified. But by some miracle he is doing so much better in just the last 20 minutes.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg
December 2022
Deavan shared their “Christmas miracle” on December 23 via Instagram, announcing Taeyang was discharged from the hospital after five heartbreaking days.
“We are so blessed and happy he can spend Christmas at home. Five days at the hospital were rough. But we are excited to get home and cuddle with a good Christmas movie,” she wrote.
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
December 2022
Taeyang was able to enjoy Christmas 2022 at home and seemed so excited about his new toys — which included a set of mini monster trucks.
“So happy Taeyang got to spend Christmas out of the hospital. He’s so smart! Knows all the Monster Trucks names,” Deavan captured a sweet Instagram video of Taeyang pointing and naming all the trucks on December 25. “We love our boy ❤️. Thank you everyone for the prayers. #christmas #monsterjam #childhoodcancer.”
Taeyang’s grandmother Elicia Clegg also posted a cute video of Taeyang saying, “Merry Christmas.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/YouTube
February 2023
“We have some really amazing updates,” Deavan shared via Instagram Stories on February 16. “He’s finally in maintenance. This means we will only have to go to the hospital once a month instead of weekly. We also have an end date for this treatment if all goes well.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
February 2023
On February 24, Deavan took to Instagram to share a positive update on her son Taeyang’s cancer battle.
“Taeyang Update. Taeyang has been my little hero and warrior. Battling cancer is no easy task. After almost a year of weekly chemo and procedures we are finally moving into the next phase in his cancer treatment journey. We have now entered maintenance, something we thought was so far away is finally here,” Deavan wrote.
She continued, “He is on daily chemotherapy pills. However we only have to go to the hospital once a month for treatment and procedures every three months. He is growing stronger and is happy his hair is growing back. He is truely amazing and I can’t believe he will be turning four years old soon.”
“You’ve all followed our journey and continue to follow our journey. It means the world to us. We finally have an end date for his treatment. August 2024,” she added. “Even though it seems far away we are happy to finally get a date if all goes well. Thank you everyone for your support it’s been the most difficult challenge for everyone involved. But we are hopeful he will kick cancers butt! #90dayfiance #childhoodcancer #cancerawareness.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
March 2023
“Today we went to the hospital for blood work. Everything came back great!” the mom of three shared in a positive update on March 2. “We are very excited and have high hopes Taeyang will beat cancer. He loves his cooking toys and it’s tradition to have Taeyang cook us all a great meal!”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
April 2023
Deavan’s mom, Elicia, took to Go Fund Me to share an update on Taeyang’s cancer battle. She reiterated how important family has been during the tough time as Taeyang has missed out on a lot of usual childhood events.
“He missed Halloween, at Thanksgiving he couldn’t really enjoy [it] as he was too sick, and holding food down was nearly impossible,” Elicia detailed. “He missed seeing family and friends throughout the holiday season, no parties, no friends, but we did get our little Christmas Miracle, so in that, when Taeyang got released from the hospital to spend Christmas morning at home, there was a sense of normalcy. There was a sense of hope and joy.”
She noted that Taeyang fell ill the week just before Easter and the family worried that he wouldn’t be well enough to go Easter egg hunting, which she said “is a tradition” in their family and they’ve done it every year since “Deavan herself was a child.”
Fortunately, his condition was stabilized, and he was given the OK to hunt for eggs along with his big sister, Drascilla.
“Luckily only has to go to the hospital once a month now, and gets all other treatment at home. This has been good for his emotional well-being,” she continued. “I will keep you all posted, but for now, today, Taeyang is doing so well, and is happy, and I was happy for him. It may seem silly, but just being around other children, and running alongside them was a bit of sunshine and put a much-needed smile on his face.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
May 2023
Deavan posted this sweet photo, captioning it, “My hero.”
“Taeyang is still fighting cancer, but he’s doing amazing,” she wrote, adding, “We will win this battle.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
May 2023
“Taeyang isn’t feeling too well,” Deavan shared on May 12. “He’s sick with a fever. We are watching him closely.”
June 2023
“We’ve came a long way since last year! Taeyang is doing much better. He only has to go to clinic once a month. His hair is growing back nicely,” Deavan updated her followers via Instagram on June 11, 2023. “He is very happy. He’s gained the weight he lost back. He seems to have a lot more energy lately. We are thankful for everyone who has helped.”
July 2023
Deavan opened up about the “constant fear” she feels with her son and his B-cell Leukemia cancer battle.
“Strongest boy I know! Back in December Taeyang was hospitalized several times … the last time he was hospitalized we were really scared,” Deavan wrote via Instagram on July 5. “We thought we were going to lose him. But a miracle happened and he pulled through…”
While Deavan also explained “so much has changed” since her stint on season 2 of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days in August 2018, her reality now is her son’s battle with the “scary” illness.
“I worry every day, and I know he is strong and will make it,” she continued. “But I live in constant fear. I try my best to put on a smile but the reality of the situation is I’m terrified. I love him so much.”
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August 2023
Deavan shared a frightening update via Instagram on August 2, revealing that Taeyang had been hospitalized in the early hours of the morning with a 103.6-degree fever. While she noted that he could be in the hospital “for a while,” she added that he wasn’t feeling well for a few days and was “struggling with moving around.”
“His counts have been low the past two weeks so his doctor had him stop his treatment until he could get better,” she continued.
The mom of three also provided more updates on the situation in her Instagram Stories. She shared a photo of Taeyang laying in his hospital bed with the caption, “Our strong boy.” Later, she posted a Boomerang of Taeyang eating breakfast.
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September 2023
Taeyang got the thrill of a lifetime when he was granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“Today was the absolute best for Taeyang. Thank you so much to @makeawishutah for making this happen,” Elicia Clegg, Taeyang’s grandmother, shared via Instagram, as the 4-year-old was ecstatic to meet Dave Sparks, a.k.a. Diesel Dave. “And a HUGE Thanks to the Diesel Brothers. @the_diesel_dave you went above and beyond. It was epic. Thank you also to @heavydsparks #teamtaeyang #make a wish”
November 2023
Deavan surprised followers when she shared that Taeyang was fortunate to receive a second wish trip, this time to Disneyland! But she was quick to clap back at critics who suggested that her son, who had received a wish fulfillment in September, shouldn’t have been granted the Disney trip.
“Because people are being nasty in the comments. Never thought I’d have to say something. Taeyang got one wish which was Disney world. Make a wish usually throws a party to tell the wisher they are being granted their gift. Dave (Sparks) out of the kindness of his heart wanted to invite Taeyang to see monster trucks and tell Taeyang he would get to go to Disney world. So please stop being rude saying we are getting special privileges and he got two wishes… it’s disheartening and very sad that people are even complaining,” Deavan wrote. “Let my son enjoy his wish. He’s been through hell all of us have and it’s so sad to see people complaining.”
Deavan shared an update on Taeyang’s condition after he hadn’t been feeling well.
“Today we had his normal blood work checkup. His white blood cells are low and he is showing signs of croup,” the 90 Day Fiancé alum wrote via her Instagram Stories. “They are stopping chemotherapy treatment for one week to see if that helps with his counts. We are hoping he starts to feel better. If not he might have another stay at the hospital.”
December 2023
Two days after sharing that Taeyang hadn’t been feeling well, Deavan revealed the toddler was rushed to the emergency room on December 6, 2023, with a high fever.
“Taeyang’s health took a took a turn for the worse,” Deavan wrote via her Instagram Stories. “He has a temperature of 103.8 which is very dangerous for cancer patients. He will most likely be admitted to the hospital for treatment.”
Hours later, Deavan shared an optimistic update, letting fans know that they didn’t have to spend the night at the hospital and were able to come home from the emergency room.
However, not long after, she revealed Taeyang would be admitted to the hospital after doing further blood work.
“We will know more soon. His health is worse than we thought,” the mom of three explained. “But we know he will fight through this.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
December 2023
A week after the hospital scare, Devean reported that her son was improving.
“Taeyang is doing a lot better and back to his healthy self!” the mom of three shared on December 12. “He is happy to get back to business! I’m so proud of him for helping pack orders.”
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Courtesy of Deavan Clegg/Instagram
May 2024
Deavan shared a positive update amid Taeyang’s cancer battle in May 2024. “Taeyang got to hang his star at the Make-A-Wish Tower! It was such an amazing beautiful moment. Thank you so much @makeawishutah @makeawishamerica,” she wrote about their visit alongside an Instagram video on May 30, 2024. “The past two years have been the most challenging years of our lives. Make A Wish has made this cancer battle so much easier. A special thank you to everyone [sic].”
She then shared that Taeyang “is thriving and doing amazing and has surgery soon to remove his chemo port.”
“We are hoping he will get to ring the bell in August and officially be cancer free. Although we still have a few more months of heavy treatment we have high hopes he will beat this,” the former reality star continued. “A special thank you to all of you who have supported us as many know it’s been difficult and we only had support in one camp. And that camp includes all of you. Thank you so so much for your prayers, the gifts, the letters and support. It has meant so much to all of us and Taeyang.”