Reid's Battle #warrior



Reid's Battle #warrior Reid Joynson is a brave 2 year old boy who has just been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in his abdomen and in a lymph node in his left his clavicle.  In the last weeks he has undergone a battery of tests to his already weakened body. He is having a PICC line inserted and start chemo this week to begin two rounds of six chemotherapy treatments in hopes of shrinking his tumour.  Because of the size and location of his tumour surgery is extremely risky so the hope is resting on chemo for now. 




This family is one of Lakeridge Health's own. Mom Hayley (McRae) Joynson is a Nurse at Lakeridge Health Oshawa who has taken LOA to be with her son.  Along with Dad, Tommy Joynson-Dickomeit we are hoping to assist them in any way we can.  Whether it be travel expences, accommodations, food, future medical costs, disruption of income.  We need
to pay it forward! The family lives a long distance away from the Hospital Reid has to stay in.  This family has already gone through such a struggle
to finally find a cause for their little boys ailment. Unfortunately it came with the worst diagnosis imaginable.    Reid was experiencing loose stools and diarrhea a year ago after a trip to the Carribean with his family for his parents Wedding. It was thought to be from travelling. When it didn't clear up the family doctor took samples and bloodworkand sent them to a Paediatrician.  A month later another specialist, Infectious Diseases, ran tests to determine there was nothing
wrong with Reid.  His bowel issues and sore tummy area continued.  Another visit to Sick Kids hospital where they were dismissed as this was not considered "an Emergency".  These episodes
continued but with more frequency.  The next doctor visit diagnosed him as having "textbook" toddlers diarrhea and gave the family a pamphlet.  As the months continued as no more definitive answers were given, Reid's condition
worsened - he was now experiencing incredible abdominal distention but was not dehydrated. He was vomitting and was not well at all.  Mom is a nurse and knew all along that something was not right with her son but she could not get any answers from any professionals.

Finally, when Reid's bowels were actually protruding from his skin - they were told to rush him to the Emergency department at Sick Kids Hospital where he was now hypokalemic, potassium of 2.4 and immediately hooked up to an IV and given 40 kcl.  He was given tests for Celiac disease, CF, put on isolation, given and endoscope and gastrointestinal scope, a CF sweat test, urine tests AND STILL NO DIAGNOSIS.  He was once again discharged home. Finally one Resident Doctor thought to run a urine test  to check levels of chatecholamines.  A week later a CT scan of his abdomen was ordered in a small but rare chance he could have cancer.  By this time Reid had lost over 1 kg in weight, his potassium had dropped again and he was clearly in decline.   As all this was happening, Tom was out of the Country on business and Hayley was dealing with a very ill son and her work at LHO.  She had to call her husband and tell him the devastating news about their son and tell him to get on the next plane home.   Hayley said she dropped to the floor upon hearing the news and said how the hell does my two year old have cancer?   Hayley's Mom is currently battling breast cancer.


Bless this family... This entire family's journey has been ongoing for over a year and has now taken such a horrible turn. Please help make their time with Reid a little less stressful. Thank you so much for your caring and compassion. #warrior.