Jarett needs his hair back
Donation protected
In early May of this year after completing his first year of college, my nephew Jarett was diagnosed with cancer.
Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma a blood cancer closely related to Leukemia.
A.L.L. is a fast-growing aggressive form of lymphoma.
The treatments are done in various phases and essentially could take 1 to 2 years to complete.
Chemotherapy treatments began at Sunnybrook Hospital almost immediately along with a battery of MRI’s, CT scans and Xrays which showed tumors on his spine and bladder.
He also endured several bone marrow draws so testing could be completed on that too.
The Induction phase of Jarett's treatment was 4 weeks long with the first 2 of them spent in the hospital where he received hard hitting doses of chemo with the goal to put the cancer into remission. (This is also where most of his hair fell out)
Phase 2 which began in early June is the CNS phase (central nervous system) where they do several weeks of spinal taps to administer the chemotherapy into the spinal fluid to prevent A.L.L. from recurring in the brain or spinal fluid. 12 rounds of radiation also occurred during the CNS phase on his spine to kill off any residual cancer cells the chemo may not have got. Phase 2 was 6 weeks of treatments.
Phase 3 is Intensification which is 10 cycles of 3 weeks. This round of treatments began in mid July. This includes weekly chemotherapy at Sunnybrook along with oral chemo and numerous other daily pills. The Doctor has told us this part of the treatment will be a marathon and could take more than the 30 weeks. If all goes well this phase should be completed sometime in March of 2020.
Phase 4 is Maintenance, which hopefully will begin in Spring 2020. Stem Cell Transplant might also be in his future but we do not know that at this time.
Throughout all of this so far there have been countless trips to Sunnybrook hospital for chemo treatments and Doctor’s appointments. For Jarett, he is on a seemingly endless treadmill of chemo treatments and daily pills. He was unable to work this Summer and is not able to attend college this Fall due to the frequency of his treatments and how he feels following each treatment.
Bottom line, the toll this is taking (and will continue to take) on my nephew and his family is unimaginable. My brother and his wife take time off work to take Jarett to Toronto at least once per week and the emotional and financial toll is staggering. Jarett is receiving world-class care and his massive family circle is rooting for him!
Anything will help and is appreciated! Funding will help with the travel, wear and tear on vehicles, meals and accommodations (when required) in Toronto, parking, parking and parking and lost wages.
Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma a blood cancer closely related to Leukemia.
A.L.L. is a fast-growing aggressive form of lymphoma.
The treatments are done in various phases and essentially could take 1 to 2 years to complete.
Chemotherapy treatments began at Sunnybrook Hospital almost immediately along with a battery of MRI’s, CT scans and Xrays which showed tumors on his spine and bladder.
He also endured several bone marrow draws so testing could be completed on that too.
The Induction phase of Jarett's treatment was 4 weeks long with the first 2 of them spent in the hospital where he received hard hitting doses of chemo with the goal to put the cancer into remission. (This is also where most of his hair fell out)
Phase 2 which began in early June is the CNS phase (central nervous system) where they do several weeks of spinal taps to administer the chemotherapy into the spinal fluid to prevent A.L.L. from recurring in the brain or spinal fluid. 12 rounds of radiation also occurred during the CNS phase on his spine to kill off any residual cancer cells the chemo may not have got. Phase 2 was 6 weeks of treatments.
Phase 3 is Intensification which is 10 cycles of 3 weeks. This round of treatments began in mid July. This includes weekly chemotherapy at Sunnybrook along with oral chemo and numerous other daily pills. The Doctor has told us this part of the treatment will be a marathon and could take more than the 30 weeks. If all goes well this phase should be completed sometime in March of 2020.
Phase 4 is Maintenance, which hopefully will begin in Spring 2020. Stem Cell Transplant might also be in his future but we do not know that at this time.
Throughout all of this so far there have been countless trips to Sunnybrook hospital for chemo treatments and Doctor’s appointments. For Jarett, he is on a seemingly endless treadmill of chemo treatments and daily pills. He was unable to work this Summer and is not able to attend college this Fall due to the frequency of his treatments and how he feels following each treatment.
Bottom line, the toll this is taking (and will continue to take) on my nephew and his family is unimaginable. My brother and his wife take time off work to take Jarett to Toronto at least once per week and the emotional and financial toll is staggering. Jarett is receiving world-class care and his massive family circle is rooting for him!
Anything will help and is appreciated! Funding will help with the travel, wear and tear on vehicles, meals and accommodations (when required) in Toronto, parking, parking and parking and lost wages.
Organiser and beneficiary
Judy Solomon McDonald
Organiser
Kitchener, ON
Jim Solomon
Beneficiary