25 Apr The Superheroes in Our Lives
What we thought was a simple throat infection, was anything but. My son Colt loves the water and has been a competitive swimmer since he was 5. So in April, when Colt was diagnosed with strep throat, we weren’t too surprised, given the time he spends in the water. Our lives were forever changed when two weeks later, Colt was still not better. A troubling blood test result from his local pediatrician led to an emergency Mercy flight to John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital (OCH) and more bloodwork. When we received the results, our deepest fear was confirmed, it was not strep throat, it was leukemia.
When my husband, Mike and I had to tell Colt, it was devastating. How do you tell a 10-year-old boy he has leukemia? How do you explain something like that?
Within 72 hours of our arrival at OCH, Colt had surgery and began a very aggressive chemotherapy treatment plan. It seemed that it was bad news after bad news. We were hoping it was not Acute Myeloid Leukemia, which is rare and progresses rapidly, but it was. Colt needed a bone marrow transplant, but Mike and I were not a match. We felt helpless. It was surreal.
Then a miracle, Colt’s little brother Jack was a perfect match. For the first time in over a month, we had a fighting chance. Jack and Colt are very close. It was inspiring to watch my little 6-year-old Jack take charge as he gladly became the donor to help save his big brother. Jack is our little superhero.
After his bone marrow transplant, Colt was hospitalized for 3 weeks. The services and welcoming volunteers in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the OCH were a life saver. Without the toaster provided in the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Colt would not have eaten anything! Once Colt was released on an out-patient basis, he needed to stay close to the hospital for 100 days. During this time the Buffalo Ronald McDonald House became our home.
The Buffalo Ronald McDonald House is a place where you can be yourself, wear slippers all day long if you want to and never, ever be judged. The wonderful staff and volunteers go out of their way to make sure we have everything we need. It means the world to us. It helps so much to be around other families going through the same thing. We support each other, laugh and cry together, and celebrate the small victories together. We are all connected somehow. I don’t know how I would get through each day without the friendships I’ve formed here.
Colt is a kind-hearted boy who loves life and lives life to the fullest every single day. Colt is happy here. He enjoys our walks through the neighborhood, visits from Winston, the OCH’s Service dog, and playing on the new play table. His art projects from school are displayed proudly in the dining room. The people who fill the House are a comfort to him. Mike and Jack come every weekend so we can be together as a family. Between the playroom downstairs, the bubble hockey game, craft projects, the play table, and breakfasts made by dad, the time Colt and Jack spend together is full. There is a strong family atmosphere here, that brings a sense of peace to my whole family.
My priorities have changed over the past few months. I embrace the moments, let my boys stay up a little longer and hug then a little bit longer.
Although I look forward to the day when Colt and I can return home, leaving the sanctuary of the House is a bit scary. It’s a comfort knowing that we will always be welcomed back to the Buffalo Ronald McDonald House, and everyone here will go above and beyond to help us. At the Buffalo Ronald McDonald House we are and always will be, surrounded by love and support.
– Chrissy Matz