Julie - "Our Hero"
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Hi, I'm the mother of Julie, a 14 year old cancer survivor. Julie was ill for several months in 2004 and 2005 with uncontrollable itching, a constant dry cough around the clock, pallor, weight loss and severe fatigue. She was finally diagnosed with Stage 3B Hodgkin’s lymphoma in April of 2005. Being a mere 2 weeks from death, her lungs and heart were exceedingly |
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compromised. Her lymphoma predominantly invaded all of her chest, extending up to her neck and chin and downwards to her spleen. She endured 6 months of intensive chemotherapy and 15 rounds of radiation. The best Christmas gift that we received in 2005 was Julie being done her treatments. However, the question still loomed in the back of my mind; was all of the cancer truly gone? Only future scans and biopsies could tell us for sure if she'd need further therapy. Although it's only the cancer child that PHYSICALLY goes through the treatments, I can certainly tell you, that this Mom went through every agonizing day with her child. You emotionally ride the roller coaster with their painful tests and treatments, their nausea and vomiting days, their hair loss, their moody days their painful joint and limb days, their isolation days. I was confined to home with no visitors while still trying to be a good mother to all of her other children, a wife, and all the other roles we must play. My other 4 children were extremely understanding the my priority for a year or so was being with Julie and the hospital. A mother certainly misses her other kids and feels guilt about not being able to be with them more. However, I would make the same choice today, to be with Julie throughout her hospitalizations, many surgeries/biopsies, tests, etc. This whole "cancer experience" in a sibling has definitely made 4 other children stronger, more empathetic, more independent, and just better people. We all empathize with other cancer kids and their families going through this awful journey. My eldest daughter Caitlin, who is finishing high school, has wanted to become a doctor for years. However, now her focus is on becoming a Pediatric Oncologist. She is a Camp Trillium counselor and a big supporter and fundraiser for Children's Cancer. The rest of the kids and the family are also very involved in the Terry Fox Runs, The Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life, the Cops Pedal for Hope for Kids Cancer, the Children's Hospital, etc. When I first received the good news that Julie was cancer free, I was so happy for her. Now her body could have a rest from the invasiveness of surgeries, and the ravaging effects of chemo and radiation. She could return to school and not worry about the germs and cold and her white blood cell count so much. She could just be a regular 12 yr old kid again, enjoying her friends and activities, looking forward to plans and vacations, something that had to be on hold for awhile. Although that year of treatment really drained me, with Julie's cancer free news, it really injected new hope and life into me. Secondly came a feeling of helplessness and uncertainty--being on your own with your child. Specialist's visits, blood work and tests were now being spaced at longer intervals. What if the cancer comes back in between the 3 month visits. Oncologist visits blood work and scans? Well, it's a progression towards acceptance, that your child's disease is cured, and hopefully it will never raise it's ugly head again. You must now put this "concern" thing on the back burner. You will hopefully never have to live and breathe the cancer experience everyday again, but tuck it to the back of your mind. I am thankful that the "moving on" stage came quickly for me. Your child will still be checked at safe, regular intervals. We had a scare of recurrence in the summer of 2006 and this past summer again, but thankfully all remains well. Cancer in a child certainly impacts the whole family and most definitely their siblings and step-siblings, as in our family unit. The child's good news is everyone’s joy. The child's bad news brings everyone down. They are not in this alone. It truly is a family affair. We, Julie's family are ecstatic that Julie has remained cancer free for over a year and a half. I thank God everyday for having Julie with us. Julie has had tremendous support from all of her family, friends and school and to all of us, she is definitely our HERO! The Typically Canadian Group is riding with Julie and her family and friends... Who are you riding with? |
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