Mysonmason

For some time my second oldest boy, Mason,  had been complaining about pain in his lower back.  The first time I took him to a doctor we went to a walk in clinic and saw the doctor on call.  We were told that he had a pulled muscle.   Unfortunately, this pain kept returning and one evening during my company summer regional he was in visibly more pain than usual.  After permission from my doctor (we have his home number - yeah he rocks as a doctor) I gave him a T3 (I have them because I get migraines).  This didn't reduce the pain and it took some time before it finally eased.  The pain did go away and we thought everything was fine.   A few weeks later he was camping with my ex on Salt Spring Island.  There he woke up in the middle of the night in blinding pain, so his mother took him to the Salt Spring hospital.  It was then, I was woken by an early morning call from my ex wife.  Mason was being airlifted to Children's Hospital in Vancouver and I needed to be on the next ferry over.  The doctors wouldn't say what the final diagnosis was until they confirmed it through tests.  After a few tests and a biopsy later I was asked to meet with the head oncologists in a meeting room.  Shortly after I sat down I heard the words no parent ever wants to hear, "the tests are complete and have confirmed, your son has a malignant tumour in his pelvis...  your son has cancer."   The doctor continued explaining that he has a rare form of bone cancer called a Ewings Sarcoma.  Speechless and with shock setting in, I was doing my best to listen and process everthing I was being told.  I remember something about it being called metastasis, meaning it has spread.  Scans showed it had spread into his lungs.  A detailed explanation followed on the chemotherapy treatment and the hell it was going to put him through.  My brain was was swirling as I tried to follow along.   The hospital suggested that one parent stay with him through the treatment.  My ex has her own business doing house cleaning so if she doesn't work she doesn't make a living.  I contacted my work and found out that I have leave I can take.   I was concerned about taking leave because money is already tight for me and I just began a new career.  I spoke to a friend who has had a long career as an HR specialist and asked him what he thought I should do; he recommended I take the leave.  My final check in was with my son and I asked him what he wanted me to do.  He pleaded that I stay with him and help him through this struggle.  So at that point I called my work and requested leave. I didn't want to put together this go fund me page but it's been quite some time since my leave started and unfortunately, my benefits provider from work rejected my paid leave. As a result I have recently applied for EI and was told this could be another 4 weeks before I see any money. This has caused finances to become very tight. I will keep everyone updated regarding the results of my sons treatment and thank you for all those who contribute to this campaign