Devens Fight with Cancer

Dear friends and family,

Recently childhood cancer has affected my sisters son, 17 year old Deven.

Last fall Deven noticed a growth on his neck, really just a small pimple or cyst it seemed. What was originally diagnosed as an infected cat scratch (definitely not cancer) soon turned into something much more serious. In a very short time the lump grew reaching the size of a small orange. After having a biopsy done a second tumor grew on top of the existing one. They discovered that Deven has a cancerous sarcoma, Spindle Cell Sclerosing Rhabdomyosarcoma. A form of childhood of Sarcoma Cancer that is both aggressive and uncommon accounting for %1 of all cancers. the family was in shock. 


After many tests, needles, blood tests, x-rays, CAT scans, PET scans and even a bone marrow biopsy as Rhabdomyosarcoma can spread to the bone marrow; an aggressive 48 week treatment plan was set up at the Halifax Children's Hospital- the IWK. Things happened fast at this point, Deven immediately started on Chemotherapy treatments in hopes of shrinking the tumor which by now had grown to the point that it was interfering with his ability to eat and swallow, and was quite painful. With luck on his side, the tumor did show some immediate shrinking over the next couple of weeks. Yet it's just the beginning of  treatment that includes, radiation, surgery to have it removed as well as plastic surgery. 

As every day is a new day while fighting cancer, the family was taken back some when Deven had such terrible nausea and sickness from his first real 5 days of chemo. He remained quite ill for some time afterwards and lost 8 lbs- something he couldn't afford being 5'10" and slight in build. Stopping the nausea and keeping some food down became imperative. As the doctor explained in the beginning, they always have a plan B. The type of chemo was changed and reduced to a two day treatment in hopes of alleviating some of his nausea. So far, so good, and Deven has gained back a few pounds.

The hospital is really good at organizing everything for his mother Alisha, but it is still a long day or days or week spent at the hospital. As the hospital is over 100kms away from home, the family has had to make arrangements for care for their 12 year old daughter as well as coordinating transportation and accommodations back and forth every week. Deven is treated at the hospital over a few days and than goes back home where he can recuperate more comfortably until the next treatment. That is unless he gets sick than he has to go back to the hospital. Deven's stepdad Ricky tirelessly shuttles Deven and his mother back and forth from home to the the Halifax IWK all while still working long hours in between.

And than there are the complications ( and there are always complications) resulting in further trips back and forth to the hospital. The cost of gas, parking, food, prescription drugs, medical supplies, and other countless expenses adds up quickly and that's not even accounting for the costly chemo drugs Deven needs. Each needle, which he needs every two weeks, costs $2000 and medical only covers so much and it's becoming quite costly. So at this point the family welcomes any help and donations that are offered.

Deven is a very nice young man. His bravery, strength and courage throughout all of this is humbling to see. Always polite to his health care workers, never a complaint and always happy to see everyone. Quiet and shy Deven is the best big brother his 12 year old sister Trinity could wish for. He is very protective of her and devoted to ensuring she is happy. Deven has been a Sea Cadet for the last 5 years and is hopeful to get back out there. This illness has struck Deven just as he began his last year of high school and it is the hope of all that with fingers crossed, and some hardwork with tutors he may be able to graduate with his fellow students this June.

His strength and will to fight is strong, but he needs to focus all of his energy on healing. As his family we are asking for any and all donations for Deven to help with the cost of his treatment so he has the best chance to get past this and go on as a healthy young man with a bright future ahead of him. All contributions are greatly appreciated.

From Devens family, friends and community we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

He will beat this.