Wyatt the Warrior

This is a story of a little boy who loves Lego, race cars, gaming, his friends and most of all his parents, family and kitten.  This is a story of a little boy who should be playing outside, sledding, playing sports, going fishing and just doing kid stuff... but this is a story of a boy who has endured more than many of us every will. This is a story of a little boy who has spent countless months in hospital beds, enduring too many MRI's, neurosurgery to remove the tumors growing in his brain,  who has been dealing with ependymoma since he was 4 years old and now, after 6 years of dealing with  radiation, chemotherapy and clinical trials the amazing medical staff that has been treating Wyatt the Warrior has exhausted all options.  

6 years ago I got a call from Wyatt's mom at 5:00 am while they were in the ER at CHEO and I will never forget that call, it was when she told me that Wyatt had a brain tumor. They had gone to CHEO thinking he had a migraine, but instead of a prescription to help the headache, they ended up on a 6 year path of medical intervention, worry, stress - both emotional and financial, and many highs and lows. Along the way they were welcomed and loved within the oncology community where families share their love and support with each other going through similar situations. The difficulties of life, stress and critical illness can take it's toll on parents and their own health and Tania felt the full effects of this.

Tania, Wyatt's mom, has experienced a never ending list of her own health issues in the last 6 years including her own battle with cancer, heart issues and has not been able to work. For many years Chris has juggled between providing for his family and care giving with endless doctor appointments, MRI's, lab work, rehab, and the list goes on....

In times like these we all want to help and wonder what it is that we can do. We want to be supportive, offer love and let those in pain know that we are there for them with whatever they need. Often we need to give them space to deal with what they are going through and we as friends feel somewhat helpless and not sure what to do to help. For the last week the Roger Neilson house has been providing care for Wyatt and the family in a beautiful, caring, positive way. The Miracle Marnie Foundation has been providing guidance and helping the family navigate the path towards the end of life and identify some of the needs in the immediate and longer term future. For the rest of us we can offer prayers, love, support and when possible a donation. Please help me in supporting the family and Wyatt the Warrior with the unexpected costs of living away from home for days, for travel, for missing work and for those little treats you want to give your baby just to see them smile and hold on to that memory. Help me support this little boy who deserves the world. Help me make this a story about a little boy who felt the love and support of the community and who was able to enjoy time with his parents creating memories.