Dominic was born on January 1, 2023, as Owen Sound hospital’s New Year’s baby. A first son for Ryan and Katt and baby brother to 3-year-old sister Blake.
For the first few months of his life, Dominic met his milestones, took his place in the busy household, and captured the hearts of friends and family. Around the third month it was noticed that Dominic’s one leg had grown significantly larger than the other and he was sent to London for genetic testing as his doctor queried Beckwith-Wiedermann syndrome (BWS). BWS comes with a risk of tumour growth, so he would be followed and monitored through his childhood. (As it turns out, the genetic testing would show that Dominic was negative for this syndrome).
On June 25, 2023, we presented at the emergency department in the local hospital because Dominic showed signs of constipation, was very uncomfortable and his abdomen was very distended. He was admitted for treatment which would include his first IV, laxatives, and ultrasounds. It was determined that he was unable to pass urine as well, so a catheter was inserted.
Overall, his condition declined and after speaking with London physicians, the decision was made to have Dominic transferred there by ambulance. The decision was bittersweet but we wanted and needed some answers.
Just a couple of days later on Canada Day when we had planned to watch his first fireworks at home over Georgian Bay, we found ourselves watching them from a hospital window in London and worrying about what the future would hold for this beautiful baby boy. Our world had just been rocked as he had just been diagnosed with stage 3 Neuroblastoma cancer and we were in total shock. The original diagnosis of bowel obstruction would have resulted in surgery, but the intervention for cancer would be chemotherapy and result in the family living away from home for months so he could be close to Children’s hospital.
The invasive but necessary tests that he was going through were incredibly difficult to watch. The next weeks brought difficult decisions, a myriad of tests, imaging, bone marrow aspirations, catheters, IV’s, Port-a-Cath insertion, injections, and plans for many rounds of chemo. Teams upon teams arrived with their expertise to make things easier. Not just for Dominic but for the whole family. The future needs of the family were put on hold, to manage everything happening in the moment. Just reading the possible side effects of all the treatment plans, elevated the stress levels to a whole new level.
Almost immediately, representatives of organizations to help families in this situation, introduced themselves and offered their assistance. They were all so generous and understanding. It was then we met Renee from Childcan. Childcan supported us in the means of in-hospital meal vouchers, parking passes, financial aid for unexpected expenses as well as other personalized things. Renee’s ability to guide us while navigating the system, provide empathy, understanding, positiveness, and her infectious smile, put us at ease to know our family was in good hands. For all of this we are forever grateful.
During our stay at Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in London, Dominic would be away from his father and sister for the first time. He would learn to creep and crawl, sit up, say his first words, eat his first solid foods, and cut his first teeth. It has become our home away from home now. Other families and the staff there feel like our extended family. We all worry for each other, support each other and feel connected. The love is felt.
Childhood cancer can affect any family. No one is exempt. And until it happens to your family, you have no idea how many wonderful, caring people there are in your world. Friends you never expected to hear from reach out to you, and total strangers hear about your situation and also want to assist. Those you thought never believed in prayer, tell you they are praying. It is a wonderful world. In the future we hope to be able to give back to Childcan and all of those who assisted us.
At this point Dominic will be spending his first Thanksgiving at RMH but hopefully be home for his first Christmas. Although he won’t remember any of these firsts, we as a family will never forget them. We will never take for granted the life saving skills, the kindness, the smiles, and the opportunity to be with him all the way through this cancer journey. The journey that will allow us to experience more of his future “firsts”.
Love,
Dominic’s Family
Thank you to Dominic’s Family, for sharing this story and for allowing us to share a magic first moment with Dominic, when he added his handprint to our Wall of Fame! You can see this moment here.