GAGE

It was the beginning of Thanksgiving weekend 2015 when we received the devastating news.  Gage had just been diagnosed with A.L.L. Leukemia.  We didn’t have many signs or symptoms, he just didn’t seem right.  I had him at the doctor earlier in the week with a fever that wouldn’t break.  After noticing some spots on his belly and groin I decided to take him back to my doctor.  She immediately sent me to Grand River Hospital where after routine bloodwork, they sat us down and gave us the news. 

That night we were sent to Children’s hospital in London.  We started the beginning of an extremely long road of chemotherapy and more hospital visits we could even count.  We returned home 5 weeks later, spent most of the following year at home in isolation, trying to keep Gage as healthy as we could, away from germs, and any illnesses. 

Almost 3 years later we are in the maintenance phase of his protocol.  Gage receives daily oral chemo and many other drugs weekly to keep his blood counts in a healthy range for him.  We have had plenty of ups and downs, experienced more emotions than we ever thought possible.  One of the positive things we discovered on this journey was all the amazing support we receive.  I joined a POGO support group, our doctors and nurses have eased our worries each and every time we talk to them, our friends and family still continue to help and support us on this long, eventful journey.  We wouldn’t be able to make it through without all the love and help we get.  We will now continue to give support to as many other families as we can through events like the POGO race and many fundraisers. We are nearing the end of our Chemo journey, but our lives have forever been changed by this.  We know how valuable knowledge, support and love can be and we will continue to pay it forward wherever possible.