Winner Winner Jason's Liver

12/08/2023

Surgery update!!
Jay is out of surgery and everything went well. ❤️
We continue to be grateful for the love and prayers you all offer. We’re so thankful for each and every one of you. ❤️

12/03/2023

***Long Post Alert***

Our apologies for not giving many updates. With many of the kids activities in full swing, we have been super busy trying to make the most of our time.

In terms of health, we have had a slight, unexpected curve ball thrown at us which has given us another path way for treatment moving forward.

When I received communication that the cancer had returned in March, 2023, the plan of care that was developed was to start chemotherapy up again, and then look at surgery. What ultimately was three pathways got whittled down to one - full liver transplant.

In Sepetember, after 12 cycles of therapy I had an MRI done. In that MRI it was discovered that the lesion that was close to the vein in my liver was no longer visible. This was the lesion that was complicating matters and reduced us to a full liver transplant option only.

After this MRI, they paused my therapy for six weeks in order to have another MRI scan completed to see if the lesion had grown back. In late November I had that scan and to all of our surprise the lesion still was not present. What this means is that a second pathway had re-emerged which is a resection surgery similar to what I had last year. Small concern though - the MRI scan, although not indicating any visualization of the lesion, also was not the clearest imaging. Despite this, the complimentary information associated with the scan provided enough insight to indicate that the second lesion was not present.

So what does this all mean?

This means that THIS Friday I am scheduled to have a resection surgery to resect the primary lesion and then hopefully go back to a monitoring plan of care. Due to the fact that the imaging was not crystal clear, prior to moving forward with the resection, they are going to attempt a manual observation of the location where the second lesion was located. Based on this observation there are three potential outcomes:

1. They do not visualize the lesion and move forward with the resection.

2. They visualize the lesion, BUT, it is manageable and they will attempt to remove it and move forward with the resection of the primary lesion.

3. They visualize the lesion, BUT, it is unmanageable, in which case they stop the procedure altogether and we go back to the full liver transplant procedure to be scheduled at a later date.

In regard to the full transplant, I am almost completed my assessments for the procedure, and when that is done then they will begin assessments on any potential donors. Due to confidentially, they have not informed me on whether or not there are any potential donors.

All in all, we are taking this all in stride and a potentially super positive reality as we were originally informed that resection would not be an option.

I will be recovering in the hospital for a week, then assessing my recovery as I go as to decide when I can get back to regular activities. The general time for recovery is up to 7 weeks.

That’s all for now, and as always, we thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. We are beyond grateful for all of you. And praying for a successful procedure on Friday.

Although this may ultimately not be the end of this journey for our family, as even with a successful procedure there are still years of monitoring to ensure that the cancer has not returned before the journey can be claimed as done, we are thankful for the potential for more time as a family.

- Jay, Theresa, and Family

10/20/2023

As many of you know, we wouldn’t be where we are today without organizations like The Canadian Cancer Society.
Their dedication and commitment to cancer research and prevention is a key component to why Jay is still alive today.

On November 18, our son Tavin and the hockey team he plays on are participating in Brantford Minor Hockey 99ers
Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Day 💜💜

His team is fundraising for this and playing a game at 12:45pm that day.

This is a cause that is important to us, not only because of Jay, but for our other friends and loved ones who have had to endure this devastating disease. I wish I could say that we didn’t have friends and family going through this too, but we do.

If you’re able to, please follow the link below and click on “support me”, no donation is too small.
Even a share to your friends through social media would mean so much to us all 💜

https://fundraisemyway.cancer.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=3030

As for Jay….

No news is good news, right?
We have some potential updates coming, so please stayed tuned.
We appreciate and love you all, and your support means so much to us ❤️❤️

09/12/2023

(Obligatory ‘Long Post Alert’, Alert lol)
(Also this is Jay writing)

Hello All!

I know we have not been posting on here often, however I wanted to give everyone an update on where we are, and what we know about our journey towards a full liver transplant.

First and foremost, I am navigating everything well. I am attending bi-weekly chemo treatment, I have all my clinical supports in place that I continue to access, I am still working full-time, and we just wrapped up lacrosse season where I was the team manager, and transitioned into hockey season where I am an assistant coach this year. Along the way I also have, or am currently helping two other local teams with player evaluations for their hockey tryouts.

This is all just a part of me continuing to live some semblance of my normal life. What it also leads to is me taking A LOT of naps. My family walks into the living room and catches me napping at least 2 to 3 times a day. The thing is, when you are faced with a reality of a shortened time with folks, especially your children, you just want to make the most of it all. Aside from hockey, we are also supporting all the children in their journeys and activities!

As for my overall health, as mentioned I am attending my chemo treatment bi-weekly in Hamilton, and I have about five days of assessments and evaluations scheduled in Toronto over the next month. Today, I am heading to Toronto for a transthoracic echocardiogram, and a pulmonary function lab test. In a few weeks I have some MPI Imaging and an exercise stress test, which is examining how my heart is working and they observe closely as I exercise to see how well my heart can handle exercise.

We do not get much insight as to the donor side due to confidentiality, however, it is our understanding that if they are scheduling these assessments, then that is a good thing. So, things continue to progress, however it feels almost as though if any of these evaluations/assessments are not acceptable then it stops the whole process, which in of itself is very stressful.

As for me personally and how I am doing, I think the biggest thing is feelings of isolation, which is funny to say because I am around people all the time whether it is work, activities, in the community, at home with my family. I just feel very alone a lot of the time, so this is something I am navigating. I guess what it is, is just being able to sit and connect with folks organically, like just a sit down and talk type of situation, I don’t know lol. Along with those feelings, I would say that what I experience the most is a lot of stress and anxiety, as well as fighting off intrusive thoughts about everything, the ”what if” thoughts, which I believe is a valid reality given the circumstance, but it wears you down some times. Overall on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being my best overall well-being, I think I maintain a healthy 7, classic “C” student lol.

Anyways, this post is long enough and maybe in the future I will do video updates, but on behalf of my family and I, we would like to continue to express our gratitude and endless love for all your support during this journey. Your support feeds our strengths to continue to fight and persevere.

Thank you all so much, now off to Toronto!

Jay

08/15/2023

We’re Toronto bound to meet with the clinical trial team at UHN for some further assessments.

Hopefully we will receive an update today from them, and then we can update you all!

We’re so grateful for the love, support, and kindness we continue to receive, it means so much to us.

We’ll update when we can 💕❤️

08/02/2023

Good afternoon!

The wonderful team at UHN has asked us to pause on application submissions at this time. While this doesn’t indicate we’ve found a donor ( we have not been informed either way), they’re just doing their best to work through the applications that they have received, as it requires significant resources on their end. They review and respond to each and every submission for Jay, as well as the other folks waiting for a living liver donation. We’re so thankful for those that have applied, whomever you are, and hoping each day for the gift of more time. We will update as soon as we’re given the okay for folks to apply again.

In the meantime, we are aware that there are others in need of living liver donations, and one was brought to our attention via a mutual friend.

Shannon has been diagnosed with end stage liver failure( Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis), and is searching for her gift of time as well. Shannon hopes that she can continue sharing her warmth, laughter, and positivity with the world.
Shannon is looking for a donor who fits the same criteria that we have shared, but would be able to accept from A or O blood types.

If able, please view and share Shannon’s page. We’d love to help her find the gift as time as well ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095094653402&mibextid=b06tZ0

07/27/2023

At this time we would like to take an opportunity to express our gratitude to some community organizations that have helped to spread the word about this campaign or provided support during the initial phase of the this journey, including but not limited to:

NPAAMB Indigenous Youth Employment And Training
Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre
Fort Erie Aboriginal Head Start
Niagara Regional Native Centre
Kakekalanicks
Nii’kinaaganaa Foundation
CHCH TV
Brantford Expositor
Brant Beacon
Brantford Minor Hockey 99ers
Brantford Minor Lacrosse
Brantford Royals Ball Hockey Club
Brantford Community Hockey League
Zone 8 Lacrosse
Living Kidney Donation Information for Debbie
TD Construction
Beadworkby_shelby
NAPA AutoPro - Fairview Tire AutoPro

These organizations and associations, along with other news agencies that we have seen pick up the story such as the Ottawa Citizen, and Norfolk and Tillsonburgh News who have been instrumental in spreading the news and information along with so many of you amazing folks as well!

It is humbling to see just how just how much of the community is so willing to step up to help! Due to your efforts our page alone has reached over 40,000 people!

It is this reason that we remain hopeful that we will be able to find a viable candidate.

Although we have for sure missed different community entities that have helped spread the word, if we have missed you in this post we sincerely apologize.

Also, in full transparency I am aware that there was no expectation of this type of acknowledgment post when you shared the content, I do want to ensure that you are acknowledged, not only on behalf of my family and myself, but also for the work you do throughout our collective communities!

As always, we are extremely appreciative and grateful for everyone’s support!

Note: Expect edits to this post as Theresa will undoubtedly send me a list of folks I should have included on the list!

Much love and appreciation,

Jason

07/26/2023

If you are interested in participating in the evaluation process, here is a link that identifies various financial help to ensure that you are supported along the way!

07/26/2023

To access to Health History Form, please follow this link:

07/26/2023

Hello everyone!

Thank you to everyone who has been sharing content and spreading the word about our campaign! We have received communication from the transplant centre that they have received a strong response, however a viable candidate has not yet been identified. What we have learned so far through this process is that the evaluation team at the centre adheres to the donor match criteria very strictly to optimize the best possible outcome. We have created this information graphic for people to share that identifies the donor match criteria as well as some added information that would help to ensure optimal results!

As always your support and continued expressions of care and love are extremely appreciated as we continue to try and find a treasure chest of time. It is our hope that we are expressing and reciprocating our love and gratitude to the same level!

As always if you would like any more information, please feel free to email us at winnerwinnerjasonsliver@gmail.com or msg us through this page.

07/24/2023

Thankful for our Brantford hockey family and their support.

Beyond this article, we have made lifelong friends through our kiddos involvement in Hockey. They’re extensions of our family, and such an important support system for us.

Thank you Brantford Minor Hockey 99ers for helping us get our story out there. ❤️

https://brantfordminorhockey.com/Articles/30913/Coach_Jay_in_Desperate_Need_of_a_Living_Liver_Donor_–_Please_Help/

07/22/2023

It’s Saturday!! And we’re coming in hot with a
“DID YOU KNOW!?!” fact of the day!

Did you know that in Ontario your job is protected when you give the gift of organ donation!? And that you can be eligible for EI earnings during that time?

The folks at The Nii’kinaagana Foundation reached out to us this morning. They recognize the financial hardship this could cause for a potential donor, as EI is not full earnings, and have offered $1000.00 per month to the donor match, to help offset potential financial hardship!!

This is wonderful news!!! And we are unbelievably grateful.

We know all to well the financial strain this has the potential to cause a potential donor, as unfortunately Jay has had to take significant time off of work during this journey. Please know that we don’t take this lightly, we know so many people are struggling in the current economy.

We’re so grateful for this offer, and humbled by it.

If you’d like to help them fund the chosen donor, please visit their page at:

https://payyourrent.ca/payyourrent
And tag the donation “Shawana”

Please continue to share if you’re able to, we appreciate you all so much ❤️

Pay Your Rent Pay Your RentPay Your Rent started in July 2018. What began as a one time request for funding assistance on social media so that I could bring menstrual supplies with us to Iqaluit became the online fundraiser Pay Your Rent and although I did not publicize it heavily, it grew and after...

07/22/2023

Please share if you’re able to.
Let’s find Jay a liver ❤️

Jay Shewana, a beloved and well-known member of the Brantford Indigenous community and father of four is battling stage 4 cancer.

07/21/2023

Our story will be airing this evening at 6:00pm (EST) on CHCH news.

We’re so grateful for the opportunity to share with our local communities, in the hopes of finding a living liver donor. Thank you to the CHCH community ❤️

As always, we continue to be so thankful for you all. Whether you’ve shared our posts, signed up to be tested, reached out and provided us a laugh, comfort, or a soft place to land, we appreciate it more than anyone will ever know.

We continue to hold hope that a viable living donor is out there somewhere ❤️❤️❤️

Annette Hamm - Bob Cowan - Tim Bolen - Brian Wood - Taz Boga - Phil Perkins - Nicole Martin - Lisa Hepfner -

07/16/2023

Sometimes we’ll be quiet on the page, and this is why. We’re busy helping our kiddos create a lifetime of memories. This is what the gift of time contributes to.

We’ll be back tomorrow with some Monday Motivation 💕❤️

Please continue to like, share, and interact with our posts if you’re able to. The more that know, the better our chances are! Let’s find Jay a living liver donor ❤️

07/13/2023

Did you know that if you donate all or part of certain organs to a person your job is protected for up to 13-weeks according to the Employment Standards Act of Ontario? And yes, a liver is one of those organs!!

For more info, follow this link:

https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/organ-donor-leave #:~:text=Organ%20donor%20leave%20is%20unpaid,to%20an%20additional%2013%20weeks.

07/11/2023

My apologies as I had just posted this but we keep neglecting a very important requirement which is that the living donor has to have either an O+ or O- blood type.

EDIT: Under requirements, it should read NO history of heart bypass surgery, heart attack, cardiac stents of stroke

Once again, thank you to all who have been sharing our posts, it means the world to us! If you could please ensure that when you share the post that it is a public post. The viable candidate could be someone within our circle or it could be a complete stranger! We will not know until the they are found! Thank you for continuing to share the posts and helping us to find more time to be a family and be with the ones we love!