- Liam just 10 days prior to diagnosis
Liam just starting to lose his hair - TDF Photography
In January 2011 Liam became so severely constipated that Ross and Trish took him to the emergency ward at McMaster Childrens Hospital. Over the next few days, they returned twice more, as the situation seemed to worsen. In a matter of days, Liam began to lose function in the lower half of his body.
An abdominal MRI, expected to take only an hour, became a 4.5 hour procedure. Multiple tumours were found riddling his body. Growths were found in his legs, hip and thigh bones, near the pancreas and lungs, and on his tailbone.
Of greatest importance, however, was a group of tumours found to be wrapped around his spinal chord, causing him to experience lower body paralysis. Liam underwent immediate surgery to remove the tumours from his spine. It was hoped that removing this cluster would relieve the pressure on his spinal cord, allowing him to regain lower body function. Unfortunately, Liam remained paralyzed from the waist down. Doctors and family are hopeful that normal motor function (urine and bowel movement, movement of his trunk and legs, etc.) may return with future treatment.
Liam had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. In Canada, only about 25 children are affected with this each year. Liam underwent a year of aggressive chemotherapy treatment which actually due to infections, additional surgeries, and delays took over 14 months to complete.
Liam’s response to the treatment was remarkable as his will to survive and happy nature became an inspiration for all who have come to know him. Over the past year Liam has defied the odds and has very slowly regained some of the function in his lower body. He is able to walk a few steps once again!
The doctor in charge of Liam’s care is one of the very same doctors who treated Ross when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at the age of 11. After a brief remission, Ross would eventually require a bone marrow transplant. Thankfully, Ross has now been cancer-free for over 20 years.
In April of this year as treatment was winding down Ross and Trish dreamed of a return to some form of a normal life with Liam possibly joining his sister at Daycare and Trish possibly returning to work.
Liam’s Doctors instead recommended that Liam continue with his Chemotherapy treatment for an additional 1-2 years as well as recommended that a major surgery of his lower right leg be performed to remove 4 of the muscles – the suspected original site of the Cancer. The initial plan of survival had been shifted to one of prevention of a relapse.
As people who care deeply about Ross, Trish, and their wonderful children, we are for the most part, helpless as they fight this battle with Liam. One thing we can do is help to ease the financial stress they face, so they can direct all their attention to Liam’s healing and their support of Jules and Caleb.
If you are able to help out this family please visit the “Donate/How Can you Help?” Link or if you would like to offer assistance by another means, please contact Ross at ross@fightforliam.com.
Most importantly however, please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers so that they are able to travel this horribly difficult journey in grace and peace.
3 Responses to “Home”
- Ann Marie De Paulo says:
April 7, 2011 at 11:08 pm (Edit)
Prayers for Liam and family
- Nadine Henderson Michalik says:
April 28, 2011 at 11:48 pm (Edit)
you are in our thoughts and prayers Trish and Ross. Stay strong
- Kathy MacDonald says:
August 17, 2011 at 10:54 am (Edit)
Hey to you little guy-Your Dad showed me pictures the other day of you moving around.
So happy for you and your family. Brought tears to my eyes to see how well you are doing and how happy your Dad was. In years to come you wlll probably not remember or we do hope you won’t as this wll be your biggest challange ever. Keep on walking and soon you will be running.
Really big hugs to all
Kathy
