Jack's story
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Friday 29th June started out fairly normal, how quickly things change… my son Jack had been poorly for a few weeks and in spite of trips to the doctor and A&E, he was getting worse, so my wife said she was taking him back to Hull Royal Infirmary.
I went to work and waited for news. Unfortunately, Jack almost collapsed going into the hospital and had to be rushed through to a bed where he was quickly given IV fluids for dehydration. Obviously worried, I finished work and rushed to the hospital.
Jack was seen by a ward doctor. All the nursing staff kept repeating the same thing – he needed more fluids. We also received his blood results to say found that his white blood cells were high. As his hydration improved, he seemed to look a little better. The relief didn’t last long though as another doctor arrived to examine him and sent him straight for a chest X-ray.
The doctor ask to talk to us in another room and gave us the most devastating news possible… Jack had cancer of the blood.
Our world stopped for that second – we could not take this in – it’s the news of every parent’s nightmares. I then had to find the strength to go in and tell Jack and I will never, ever get the look on his face out of my mind. The worst night of our lives had started.
Jack needed specialist intervention immediately so he was blue-lighted to Leeds Clarendon wing at the Leeds general Infirmary where they have a teenage cancer ward. He was put on fluids again and lots of blood samples were taken. As you would imagine, my wife and I were utterly devastated and in total shock, but obviously trying to stay strong for Jack.
The toughest night of our lives turned into daylight as the team in Leeds began doing what they do best. Jack was put on steroids and a medication plan was put in place. The nurses, doctors and specialists were amazing and a little calm came as we were told that the steroids had started to work by bringing down the swelling in his neck, which made him feel more comfortable.
However, we all know that Jack is very, very poorly. He was then diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia which was forming in his chest crushing his lungs and pushed his heart to the other side of his chest. This will be a long road ahead for him in this battle, but we will fight as a family and that means keeping strong. Our next ordeal will be telling Jack’s younger brothers. How do you explain something so awful to small children?
The only thing we can do is try and take things one step at a time and cope with whatever the future holds. We already know that Jack will be in hospital for about five weeks whilst having intensive cancer treatment. We need to be in Leeds with him – it is the only way we can cope, but as we both work, we then have other practicalities to worry about. What will happen to our jobs? What about the bills?
Knowing our concerns, a good friend asked if she could open a giving page to help us. Our initial reaction was absolutely not, but feedback tells us that this isn’t about how we feel, it’s about what is best for Jack. Others said it was one way they could help because they didn’t know what else to do.
So, that’s where we are… a funding page for Jack… a lovable, funny, clever boy who needs his Mum and Dad by his side during the fight of his life.
Jacks dad has a message for you all.
Hi I’m writing this to our family and friends many other people who I’ve not yet had the privilege to meet, that have supported us with there kind words and actions through what I can only describe as hell. Vicky and I can not find the right words to express what this all means to our family. And from the day we found out about jack you have been by our side, and kept us strong.
And to add to the stress of all this we was also concerned about our financial situation with running our home and also staying in Leeds supporting Jack,
And once again you all stepped in and took that worry away from us.
You all are truly amazing people, and we love you all. And I know they won’t see this, but a massive thank you to all the staff at Leeds general infirmary Clarendon wing, they are just amazing people that have so much passion for there job.
All your support will never be forgotten love and kisses to you all.
Thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I went to work and waited for news. Unfortunately, Jack almost collapsed going into the hospital and had to be rushed through to a bed where he was quickly given IV fluids for dehydration. Obviously worried, I finished work and rushed to the hospital.
Jack was seen by a ward doctor. All the nursing staff kept repeating the same thing – he needed more fluids. We also received his blood results to say found that his white blood cells were high. As his hydration improved, he seemed to look a little better. The relief didn’t last long though as another doctor arrived to examine him and sent him straight for a chest X-ray.
The doctor ask to talk to us in another room and gave us the most devastating news possible… Jack had cancer of the blood.
Our world stopped for that second – we could not take this in – it’s the news of every parent’s nightmares. I then had to find the strength to go in and tell Jack and I will never, ever get the look on his face out of my mind. The worst night of our lives had started.
Jack needed specialist intervention immediately so he was blue-lighted to Leeds Clarendon wing at the Leeds general Infirmary where they have a teenage cancer ward. He was put on fluids again and lots of blood samples were taken. As you would imagine, my wife and I were utterly devastated and in total shock, but obviously trying to stay strong for Jack.
The toughest night of our lives turned into daylight as the team in Leeds began doing what they do best. Jack was put on steroids and a medication plan was put in place. The nurses, doctors and specialists were amazing and a little calm came as we were told that the steroids had started to work by bringing down the swelling in his neck, which made him feel more comfortable.
However, we all know that Jack is very, very poorly. He was then diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia which was forming in his chest crushing his lungs and pushed his heart to the other side of his chest. This will be a long road ahead for him in this battle, but we will fight as a family and that means keeping strong. Our next ordeal will be telling Jack’s younger brothers. How do you explain something so awful to small children?
The only thing we can do is try and take things one step at a time and cope with whatever the future holds. We already know that Jack will be in hospital for about five weeks whilst having intensive cancer treatment. We need to be in Leeds with him – it is the only way we can cope, but as we both work, we then have other practicalities to worry about. What will happen to our jobs? What about the bills?
Knowing our concerns, a good friend asked if she could open a giving page to help us. Our initial reaction was absolutely not, but feedback tells us that this isn’t about how we feel, it’s about what is best for Jack. Others said it was one way they could help because they didn’t know what else to do.
So, that’s where we are… a funding page for Jack… a lovable, funny, clever boy who needs his Mum and Dad by his side during the fight of his life.
Jacks dad has a message for you all.
Hi I’m writing this to our family and friends many other people who I’ve not yet had the privilege to meet, that have supported us with there kind words and actions through what I can only describe as hell. Vicky and I can not find the right words to express what this all means to our family. And from the day we found out about jack you have been by our side, and kept us strong.
And to add to the stress of all this we was also concerned about our financial situation with running our home and also staying in Leeds supporting Jack,
And once again you all stepped in and took that worry away from us.
You all are truly amazing people, and we love you all. And I know they won’t see this, but a massive thank you to all the staff at Leeds general infirmary Clarendon wing, they are just amazing people that have so much passion for there job.
All your support will never be forgotten love and kisses to you all.
Thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Organizer
Laura Cox
Organizer
