On April 26,2006 life changed in a split second. Our son Jay was diagnosed with liver cancer which had spred to his lungs. this is typical of this type of cancer. Jay was a stage four, however there was a twist. It had spred up his IVC into his heart. Jay was two years old and within 24 hours he had been life flighted to sick kids in Toronto fighting for his life.

His father and I arrived at the hospital and recieved nothing but horrible news. We were told that Jays chance for survival was less than 5%. The first procedure he had in Toronto, was to put in a pick line for chemo, remove the fluid from his lungs, and to biopsy for a 100% diagnosis. They did not wait to get the results back they started chemo immediately there was know time to wait. Jay had amazing reaction to the chemo. By July, the tumor from his heart was completely gone. Six more rounds of intensive chemo he was surgery bound back to Toronto. His surgery had never been attempted before,
because Jay is the first person in the world to have liver cancer that had spred to the heart.

So with several different teams, consisting primarily of heart and liver . Surgery began with only a 30% chance of survival. Twelve hours later, our doctor appeared at midnight exhausted and teary. Some things came up that did not show on all the previous scans. Jay had 3/4 of his liver removed, they had to remove and rebuild 1/2 of his diaphram. due to the fact there was a tumor attached to the back of the diaphram. His IVC was replaced ( for those who do not know what an IVC is , it is the major vein in the body which goes from the liver to the heart.) coupled with other complications such as the risk of him bleeding out they thought the only needed 10 units of blood, they used 60 the other life threat was the hepatic coma which means not enough liver to survive.

On Feb 17 2008 Jay turned four. He is a lively and cancerfree little boy. He is considered by his family and medical community a living miracle. I hope Jay inspires you as he does with everybody who meets him.

regards and thank you
Mary Lynn Duke

The Typically Canadian Group is riding with Jay and his family...

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