Support for Michael and his Family
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Hi, thank you for visiting my Go Fund Me Page and taking your time to read our story. This is a genuine plea for help. My name is Ernest and my wife is called Ann. I'm originally from South Africa and my wife is originally from Kenya. We have one child, Michael who is 5 years old and we are expecting a baby girl at the end of May.
In January this year, our dear child was diagnosed with Rhabdoid Cancer. This is a rare but very aggressive tumour that starts in the kidneys and can spread to other areas of the body.
Michael's illness started with symptoms of constipation in July last year. Just as most parents would do, we did not think that this was anything serious and therefore we managed this at home by giving our child a lot of fruits, vegetables and also increased his fluid intake. After one month, there was no improvement and therefore he was seen by our GP in August 2016. The doctor said the problem was constipation and he was given medication to relieve it. This did not improve. Between August and November 2016, we had several visits to the GP and also multiple attendances at Bristol Children's Hospital Emergency Department, but we were told the same story each time.... "constipation, continue with a laxative". At one point he was on 8 sachets of Laxative a day. Eventually, due to our persistence and insistence we were referred to specialist services at the Bristol Children's Hospital and even there, we were given the same diagnosis of constipation and asked to continue with movicol as it would relieve it. This whole experience was very frustrating for us as parents and we felt very helpless and hopeless. We continued praying to God that our child's symptoms would resolve. Every parent knows their child best and would wish the best for their child as they have their best interest at heart. In the midst of all this my job contract ended in Bristol. We relocated to Wokingham in December ready for me to start a new job in January and Michael to start a new school. Michael was seen by our new GP who could clearly see our frustrations and helplessness as parents as we begged for him to help as we could sense something was not right with our child. The constipation and tummy pain was not resolving despite treatment and Michael was loosing weight and becoming lethargic. The GP referred Michael urgently to Specialist services where he was seen promptly and a scan was done. This showed a tumour causing obstruction in his bowels and urinary system. He had an emergency transfer to children's cancer specialist services in Oxford hospital in January where he has been hospitalised to date. My wife, who is now heavily pregnant and I have been staying by Michael's bedside the whole time. This means that I have had to work from hospital under very stressful circumstances. This is bearing in mind the fact that I had just started a new job and therefore still under probationary period. I'm expected to be physically present at my work place for at least 2 days a week as well as working remotely.
This is a very heart breaking and extremely difficult time for us and I'm finding it very difficult to concentrate with my work and support my child Michael and my pregnant wife at the same time.
Michael started chemotherapy in February and it was thought that he was responding well. He has also endured major operations to try and relieve obstruction in his bowels and urinary system caused by the tumour.
Sadly, on 29 March 2017 we were informed by the medical team that the cancer is now stage 4 and has spread and that they have no further treatment options available as chemotherapy is not working. In other words our dear child's illness is terminal and therefore he will be discharged home for palliative care. This is very heartbreaking and distressing for us as parents and we are struggling to come to terms with this.
We don't know how long Michael has left with us but we have been told that his prognosis is now measurable in short weeks to a few months. As parents, also expecting Michael's unborn sister at the end of May, we are now forced to make difficult choices.
Unfortunately without help I will have no other choice but to continue working under these difficult circumstances so as to meet my family financial commitments as well as prepare for the arrival of our second born.
We are deeply saddened to imagine that we don't have much time left with our dear son. Our commitment and wish as his loving parents is to spend every second as a family.
It is obvious to us that it is also Michael's wish because just leaving the hospital room to take a call, he cries out for us to return. My dilemma is I'm in a situation where I cannot care for Michael , support my wife as well as prepare for the arrival of our second born and sustain a job at the same time.
Many kind hearted people, family and friends have contacted us asking to contribute financially so as to make it possible for us to completely focus on Michael's care and well being 24/7 and give him all the experiences a 5 year old would wish for. This is why we have set up this fund for people to direct their requests and kind donations.
As a family we are asking for financial support from all our families, friends and well wishers wherever you are. Your financial support will help me to take a break from work to care for Michael and also support my wife, it will also help us to make Michael's days to be filled with happiness despite the illness limitations by taking him to treasured places like Legoland if his condition allows. My dear well wishers, no financial gain can compare with our child's life but helping us to ease off the financial burden will put our minds at ease and give undivided attention and love to Michael.
Kindly pray for us as we go through this difficult time. It's also very difficult and painful as we watch our son go through such agony and yet he does not understand it all. We need your financial support and prayers like never before.
We don't ask for any amount of money because your prayers, love and support is more than enough but we accept with huge gratitude anything kind hearted people would like to contribute.
Please share this link and join us on Michael's adventures. Siboyanga, asante sana and thank you all from the bottom of our hearts and may God bless you xx Ernest and Ann Wakesho Sigwaza.
In January this year, our dear child was diagnosed with Rhabdoid Cancer. This is a rare but very aggressive tumour that starts in the kidneys and can spread to other areas of the body.
Michael's illness started with symptoms of constipation in July last year. Just as most parents would do, we did not think that this was anything serious and therefore we managed this at home by giving our child a lot of fruits, vegetables and also increased his fluid intake. After one month, there was no improvement and therefore he was seen by our GP in August 2016. The doctor said the problem was constipation and he was given medication to relieve it. This did not improve. Between August and November 2016, we had several visits to the GP and also multiple attendances at Bristol Children's Hospital Emergency Department, but we were told the same story each time.... "constipation, continue with a laxative". At one point he was on 8 sachets of Laxative a day. Eventually, due to our persistence and insistence we were referred to specialist services at the Bristol Children's Hospital and even there, we were given the same diagnosis of constipation and asked to continue with movicol as it would relieve it. This whole experience was very frustrating for us as parents and we felt very helpless and hopeless. We continued praying to God that our child's symptoms would resolve. Every parent knows their child best and would wish the best for their child as they have their best interest at heart. In the midst of all this my job contract ended in Bristol. We relocated to Wokingham in December ready for me to start a new job in January and Michael to start a new school. Michael was seen by our new GP who could clearly see our frustrations and helplessness as parents as we begged for him to help as we could sense something was not right with our child. The constipation and tummy pain was not resolving despite treatment and Michael was loosing weight and becoming lethargic. The GP referred Michael urgently to Specialist services where he was seen promptly and a scan was done. This showed a tumour causing obstruction in his bowels and urinary system. He had an emergency transfer to children's cancer specialist services in Oxford hospital in January where he has been hospitalised to date. My wife, who is now heavily pregnant and I have been staying by Michael's bedside the whole time. This means that I have had to work from hospital under very stressful circumstances. This is bearing in mind the fact that I had just started a new job and therefore still under probationary period. I'm expected to be physically present at my work place for at least 2 days a week as well as working remotely.
This is a very heart breaking and extremely difficult time for us and I'm finding it very difficult to concentrate with my work and support my child Michael and my pregnant wife at the same time.
Michael started chemotherapy in February and it was thought that he was responding well. He has also endured major operations to try and relieve obstruction in his bowels and urinary system caused by the tumour.
Sadly, on 29 March 2017 we were informed by the medical team that the cancer is now stage 4 and has spread and that they have no further treatment options available as chemotherapy is not working. In other words our dear child's illness is terminal and therefore he will be discharged home for palliative care. This is very heartbreaking and distressing for us as parents and we are struggling to come to terms with this.
We don't know how long Michael has left with us but we have been told that his prognosis is now measurable in short weeks to a few months. As parents, also expecting Michael's unborn sister at the end of May, we are now forced to make difficult choices.
Unfortunately without help I will have no other choice but to continue working under these difficult circumstances so as to meet my family financial commitments as well as prepare for the arrival of our second born.
We are deeply saddened to imagine that we don't have much time left with our dear son. Our commitment and wish as his loving parents is to spend every second as a family.
It is obvious to us that it is also Michael's wish because just leaving the hospital room to take a call, he cries out for us to return. My dilemma is I'm in a situation where I cannot care for Michael , support my wife as well as prepare for the arrival of our second born and sustain a job at the same time.
Many kind hearted people, family and friends have contacted us asking to contribute financially so as to make it possible for us to completely focus on Michael's care and well being 24/7 and give him all the experiences a 5 year old would wish for. This is why we have set up this fund for people to direct their requests and kind donations.
As a family we are asking for financial support from all our families, friends and well wishers wherever you are. Your financial support will help me to take a break from work to care for Michael and also support my wife, it will also help us to make Michael's days to be filled with happiness despite the illness limitations by taking him to treasured places like Legoland if his condition allows. My dear well wishers, no financial gain can compare with our child's life but helping us to ease off the financial burden will put our minds at ease and give undivided attention and love to Michael.
Kindly pray for us as we go through this difficult time. It's also very difficult and painful as we watch our son go through such agony and yet he does not understand it all. We need your financial support and prayers like never before.
We don't ask for any amount of money because your prayers, love and support is more than enough but we accept with huge gratitude anything kind hearted people would like to contribute.
Please share this link and join us on Michael's adventures. Siboyanga, asante sana and thank you all from the bottom of our hearts and may God bless you xx Ernest and Ann Wakesho Sigwaza.
Organizer
Ernest Sigwaza
Organizer
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