JOHNATHON

You can never ever prepare yourself as a parent, or anyone for that matter, for receiving the news that your child has cancer or any serious illness. It hits you like a ton of bricks that you never saw coming and then in seconds your family life changes.  The worry, the stress, the wondering, the heartbreak, the feeling of lack of control, all sets in but you just power through the events minute by minute until the daily/weekly hospital visits and course of treatment becomes your new normal.  Our life changed January 31, 2018.

Before Jonathan (aka: JT) was diagnosed he was a very active and energetic 10 year old boy. You could never slow him down. He was into many different activities – hockey, baseball, soccer, skiing, running, music, etc. Thinking back months before his diagnosis, he was experiencing symptoms that you’d not think it was cancer related.  In December/January, JT started missing lots of school days for feeling unwell and then developed enlarged glands in his neck; with one lymph node popping out over his collar bone which landed us back at the doctor.  On the Tuesday, JT was sent for blood work and x-rays, and by the next morning on January 31, we received the most unsettling phone call with the results of his tests showing lymph nodes all in his chest and the initial fear that he may have cancer.  We immediately were sent to Grand River hospital for more tests and by Friday of that week JT was admitted to Sick Kids in Toronto for extensive tests and biopsies to determine what JT will be up against. On February 5, 2018, JT was officially diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, Stage 3; a fairly uncommon form of cancer, especially in children.  Cancerous lymph nodes were found in his neck, arm pits, groin, kidneys, with the largest mass in his chest that quickly started to compromise his breathing and which explained his shortness in breath and chest pains he experienced over the past few months.  Chemo therapy started immediately, and by the end of the first phase of treatment (Induction), his chest mass of 13 cm was significantly decreased to 3 cm which suggested he was responding extremely well to the treatment and on the positive path.  During the critical early stages of his treatment, JT and his mom stayed at Ronald McDonald House in Toronto as KW was deemed too far away from his care at Sick Kids. Being away from home and apart from his dad and sister was hard on all of us. After 3 months, we moved back home where he will now receive most of his treatment at Grand River hospital with occasional visits and treatment at Sick Kids.

Being home has been the best medicine for JT as he can be back with family and friends who have all been extremely supportive and generous during this journey. His treatment protocol is for 2.5 years so he still has a long road ahead of him but we are constantly reassured by the doctors for a positive outcome. Unfortunately, JT’s journey won’t be easy with the many ups and downs he experiences from the side effects of chemo.  When you think you are over the initial shock of diagnosis, then you get hit with all the side effects, and it’s heartbreaking to watch a child or anyone, have to go through all that.  JT is such a brave, strong boy. He has been a trooper through everything so far.  “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have”.  With the amazing support of family, friends, the community, staff at Sick Kids and Grand River Hospital and organizations like POGO, it truly helps families get through the tough time and helps relieve some of the pressures that are faced.  We are grateful for all the support we have received and the fundraising for programs and research being done to help all kids battling cancer. With Strength, Courage, and Hope - Together we can get through it and lives can be changed.