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Maxwell our Superhero

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This is Max.  Max is a Superhero.  Superhero’s are strong, superhero’s are courageous, superhero’s are one of a kind but sometimes superhero’s and their families need help. 

If you aren’t familiar with Maxwell and the reason he is such a Superhero, his story is lenghty for a 15 year old, but hold on to your hats this young man is something seriously special. 

Maxwell was born 15 years ago with a condition called hypo-plastic left heart syndrome which resulted in the greatest gift one could receive, a heart transplant at 22 days old.  The heart he received from his donor was the size of an acorn, a miraculous life saving acorn.  Between the years of 2000 and 2007 Max was in and out of the Hospital for Sick Children for many reasons as you can imagine;  follow-ups, multitude of tests, surgeries, medical issues, the list is unfortunately too long to list. Superhero…CHECK.
                             
In 2007 at the age of 7 Maxwell was diagnosed with PTLD Stage 3 Large B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and underwent 6 rounds of chemotherapy. Due to his cardiac transplant all chemo had to be done at the HSC. Each round resulted in 3 week hospital stay. He was a strong little guy and fought the tough fight and made it through with his superpowers growing exponentially.  Superhero….Hell’s ya!
 
All was somewhat “normal” in the Kemp household until 2010.  At the young age of 10 years old Maxwell was again diagnosed for the second time with PTLD Stage 4 Large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  Again another 6 rounds of chemotherapy but this time it included a bone marrow harvest. And what would you know? His superpowers came in handy and he along with his parents fought again, fought hard, fought with all their might.  Their fight paid off, although battle wounds would mark his little body he made it.  Kryptonite you have nothing on this guy.
 
There is nothing “normal” or boring in the life of a superhero – unfortunately.  In 2012 Max was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura also known as ITP which is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting.   Max was air lifted to the HSC and received 6 weeks of in hospital medical treatment and then another 4 months outpatient treatment.  Who said humans couldn’t fly – our Superhero can!  Then just as recent as 2015 Max was diagnosed again with ITP luckily this was only a week in hospital and 3 weeks of outpatient treatment. 
 
So the story for this unbelievable superhero Maxwell took another twist.  In February of 2016 Maxwell was diagnosed for the THIRD time with PTLD Stage 3 Large B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.  This time around his cancer is more aggressive than the last two.  The doctors are using all of their tools at their disposal to beat this disease once and for all.  Since the end of March, Maxwell has undergone many surgeries; a chest tube, lymphoma removal and biopsy, bone marrow biopsy, spinal tap and a double lumen central line and was in CCU due to a septic infection.  Treatment includes an aggressive chemotherapy regiment; he is just finishing his second round now, a bone marrow harvest and bone marrow transplant is to come.  This time he will be in the hospital a total of 4-5 months. Wow…our superhero is one tough dude.
 
Maxwell and his family need our help.  In the background of a superhero’s life are their superhero parents.  They are the ones who go through the long sleepless nights.  They are the ones with the brave face telling their child all will be okay.  They are the ones who live it daily.  Lexy and Chris have never asked for anything over the past 15 years but our love and support however this time around they need a little more.  Both Chris and Lexy are now self-employed and Lexy who has not been home in 6 weeks; and will not be until Maxwell walks out of that hospital cancer free in July,  has been extremely limited to how much she can work.  With being self employed they don’t have health insurance and although blessed with our health care system, support from us would take the day to day financial stresses from their shoulders. 
 
From the day Maxwell was born Lexy and Chris knew his life would be a difficult one but one worth living, one that has taught us all how precious each day is.  I can see you standing on your hospital bed Max, red cape behind you with your fists on your hips, staring off into the sky – strong and defiant.  Maxwell thank you for being the Superhero you are, your powers are infinite and inspire us all.
 
Maxwell and his family thank you from the bottom of their hearts for all of your love, well wishes and continued support. 
 
With love xo
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Donations 

  • Shanon Hewett
    • $20
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

Christy Field
Organizer
Stouffville, ON

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