JAXON – a gorgeous 3 year old Adelaide boy – recently diagnosed with rare blood cancer
“Pre B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma”
With an infectious smile, a big brother to Loukas (2) a Port Power supporter, a lover of Ninja Turtles and Toy Story, its pure devastating to know the battle this little boy has ahead of him. JAXON’S JOURNEY …so far
On 23rd August 2017 Jaxon’s Mummy; Tory discovered an enlarged lymph node in Jaxon’s groin area. Straight to a GP for advice, they referred Jaxon immediately to the Adelaide Women’s and Childs Hospital (WCH). After almost 2 weeks of consults with doctors and specialists, ultrasounds, antibiotics (suspected bacterial infection) and reviews the paediatric surgeon decided the next step was planned surgery to remove this this enlarged lymph node for biopsy. The evening of September 6th 2017, following successful surgery earlier that day, Jaxon was home resting and his Mummy received a phone call, no parent should ever experience. The paediatric surgeon confirmed that the lymph node removed today looks to contain lymphoblast’s consistent with lymphoma or leukaemia. They were told to present to the oncologist the following day for a plan forward. Following the first appointment with the oncologist was 10 days of invasive testing under anaesthetics ; bone marrow biopsy, CAT scan, PET scan, x-rays, lumbar punctures … to name a few all undertaken between the Women’s and Children’s Hospital & the Royal Adelaide Hospital. An extreme overwhelming turn of events forced the family into a world of unknown territory and agonising fog of sadness seeing what this little boy was going through – Jaxon, who was living and playing within a ‘normal’ healthy life only some weeks ago. The discussions for a diagnosis between the paediatric oncologist and specialists to the family went from Leukaemia, then to Stage 3 Lymphoma as the PET Scan results confirmed enlarged cancerous lymph nodes within Jaxon’s tummy and diaphragm regions. Almost 3 hrs of surgery was completed successfully on Friday 15th September to have Jaxon’s Implantable port / chemotherapy line inserted into his little body. (The catheter in his chest goes into the large vein to Jaxon’s heart. The port which is attached to the catheter, is positioned just under the skin on the right side of his little body). Jaxon was admitted to WCH oncology on Monday 18th September and a protocol treatment plan was started to treat Stage 3 Lymphoma. An expectation of 6 months of aggressive chemo and approximately 2.5 years of maintenance chemo – with an prognosis of approximately 80% success. His family began to process now what life has become, displaying strength and positivity to get this boy through the next 3 years and a new familiarity to the four-walls of the oncology ward of the WCH…….you think?...... Not just yet…
After the first few days of initial treatment a visit from the paediatric oncologist on Wednesday 20th September 2017 brought even more uncertainty and sadness. News that you would only ever read about, but never in a million years think it would happen to your son, grandchild, nephew, cousin or friend. The cytogenetic testing completed on the biopsied lymph node removed from Jaxon last month had presented a rare form of blood cancer. They confirmed the current treatment plan is not going to cure Jaxon.
“Pre B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma”
· A type of cancer that a recent global study of approximately 10,000 children with childhood blood cancer only 2 were similar to this type
· A type of cancer that is formed within an immature blood cell
· A type of cancer with an unknown prognosis
· A type of cancer that current aggressive chemo treatment , or any other form of go-to cancer treatment used to fight cancer isn’t even going to work
· A type of cancer that is so aggressive, the oncology team have put out a national search for a specific Stem Cell / Bone Marrow donor
To cure Jaxon – he will need a Stem Cell Transplant. Unfortunately the WCH Adelaide cannot undertake this transplant. Jaxon with his Mum and Dad will have to relocate to Sydney and live between the hospital and Ronald McDonald House for at least 4 months. A life-saving stem-cell transplant involves intensive chemo therapy to rid Jaxon of his current stem cells/bone marrow. Then the transplant begins, filtering new stem cells into his body. Forcing him to stay in the most purest of incubation for months as his body regenerates brand new healthy stem cells and develops a new immune system. JAXON, his; Mum TORY and his Dad; DIMI have no other choice but to relocate to Sydney in hope of beating Jaxon’s cancer. This comes with massive financial income loss and heart ache with the need to leave Jaxon’s little brother; LOUKAS (2 years old) at home with extended family. (during this treatment Jaxon won’t be allowed to be in contact with children under 6 years old due to his depleted immune system)
This is where we need your help – your support – your hope – your kindness and most importantly your generosity. Help us with providing them some financial support through the most unbearable, life-changing and confronting times of anyone’s life. This money will be going to the cost of flights, to phone bills to keep in contact with friends and family back home, to general expenses during this journey, and to costs that continue to arise in Adelaide like rent and utilities – so at the end of Jaxon’s treatment they fly back to Adelaide and GO HOME to begin a journey to Jaxon’s healthy life. Please follow JAXON’S JOURNEY and witness the strength, courage and determination shown by the most strong-willed almost 4 year old boy you’ll ever meet. Your support, love, prayers and most importantly contributions are so very much appreciated
Thank you,
