Support for Alex in his Journey

Please help support Angela to be able to be with Alex while in London to undergo further testing & treatment. She is the only one working to support her family and unfortunately is unable to take time off work due to the financial constraints. If the financial stress is alleviated she can then be with her son who desperately needs his Mom by his side at this difficult time. For those of you that don't know me I am Angela's sister and I can not begin to imagine the turmoil this family is going through. Please help us get Angela to Alex's side. 

Here is Alex's Story...

For all of you who know Alex he is outgoing, mischievous, adventurous child.  He has always been a busy boy and nothing or no one has ever held him back. He is a typical boy in all senses of the word. 

Back in the beginning of February of this year Alex fell very sick, with it being winter and that time of year  it was just thought he had a bad cold - not much thought was given. Colds happen especially in the winter. After three weeks Ange felt something wasn't right and had him medically assessed but it was deemed that there was a nasty cold going around that likely hit him. Fluids and rest. Weeks went by Alex got plenty of fluids and rest. Then he started having foot pain in his left ankle. But being a boy and a boy who loved outdoors and being adventurous it was chalked up to he likely hurt his foot in one of his schenanigans - boys will be boys! However his foot continually started to cause more pain and began to swell. Angela took him in to be seen by a doctor  on February 28th.  It was thought that he had a bad sprain as xrays showed no sign of a fracture. Treatment - rest, ice and elevate. 
Alex's foot continued to worsen - increased pain to the point he could barely tolerate it, redness, swelling and bruising. On March 3rd he was taken in again due to his worsening condition. he was given crutches and a treatment plan of ice, rest and elevation. Each passing day was getting worse. March 5th came and another trip to the hospital this time he was being treated for possibly gout. Treatment plan - gout meds, ice, rest and elevation. On March 7th Angela brought him in for a second opinion as he was not getting any better. He was then referred to an orthopedic surgeon in Thunder Bay but was told the wait would be weeks. On March 8th Alex took a turn for the worse - lethargic, nausea, fever, extreme pain and increasing redness and swelling. His pain was so bad he wanted to cut his foot off. He was rushed to the Emergency room. He developed a huge abscess on his foot. Alex was sent to Thunder Bay where Angela & Jaret were told that they had just got Alex there in time as his heart rate was increased, blood pressure was low and his infection was severe. On March 9th Alex went for his first surgery and then his second on March 10th. It was determined that he has a severe Staph infection. He remained in Thunder Bay Regional for another 2 weeks for treatments. Angela stayed with him for a week but used up her emergency paid leave and having no other household income had to return to Atikokan to work. Alex's grandma stepped in to be by his side. Alex returned to Atikokan the following week but had to return to Atikokan General 3 times per day for 10 days for IV antibiotics. Things were beginning to look up - Alex was returning to be his spunky self, not 100% but was improving or we thought...
Alex's doctor wanted him to go for blood work before his scheduled follow up appointment that was supposed to be on April 9th. So on April 4th at 11am he went and completed the tests. Shortly after Angela got paged at work with news that his blood results were not good and to get Alex to the hospital NOW. They were told that his white blood cells were critically low and that platelets were extremely low. This is not normal for a child his age. He was sent to Thunder Bay via air ambulance once again. 
Alex went through a battery of tests April 4th & 5th in Thunder Bay. All that they can be told is that his bone marrow is not producing enough blood cells and his platelets are out of whack. Liver tests also revealed that his liver function is abnormal. Because Alex is normally a healthy child they are worried. They have been told to prepare for the worse. We are hoping it is something simple but are preparing ourselves for the opposite.
Alex has to be flown to London to have bone marrow testing done. The length of his stay in London will determine on the results of testing and the treatments required. Angela at this point is unable to go with him due to having to work to financially support her family. This is a HUGE stress emotionally for both her and Alex. Jaret will be flying with Alex to London but it is devastating for Angela to have to stay back. Alex wants and needs his Mom.

Alex is being flown out on Sunday night to London to begin testing Monday, it is unknown as to how long he will be in London.