Ollie is an energetic, determined and loveable 13-year old who began developing a bump on his neck in summer 2019. In November 2019 he was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma ALK Positive. After multiple relapses in his central nervous system, which caused him to go blind, he had a stem cell transplant in July 2020. He is now a long-term survivor with more than 5-years in remission. This blog shares updates on his wellness and his family's advocacy efforts.

The Brave Boy and Therapeutic Clowns at CHEO (plus Mario photobombing)
Thursday, 30 January 2020
Fake it until you make it...
While his smile is not yet genuine, he's trying...
Ollie slept a lot today, but did have more moments of lucidity and being able to talk to really talk to me. It started at 4 am when he woke and asked me for a hug, then asked me calmly why he couldn't see. It was the first time he hasn't cried out in agony about his loss of vision.
He did still sleep a lot today, but his pain was lower, he was able to articulate what he needed and got up to use the commode. So he's getting stronger and a bit better.
Better was enough to be transfered out of ICU and back on to the oncology ward. Not well enough yet to see, have normal conversations all of the time or feel comfortable yet. He is still on a lot of pain medications, but they took the catheter out as he's started eating soft stuff like yogurt and bananas.
Mario's mom stopped by the hospital, but we missed her as we transitioned from one ward to another. Stephen was also kind enough to come by and bring Ollie his favourite strawberry banana smoothie from Tim Horton's. He stayed to visit with the boys while I ran off to meet Abby.
Mario is there with him tonight and the breathing issues aren't 100% resolved yet, but he is also exhausted today.
I took Abby to an info session tonight at one of the middle schools she is considering going to in September. After we went out for food with other families from her current school. It was nice to catch up with them a bit, but also hard not to get distracted by texts from Mario.
Now I am lying in our bed with Abby snuggled up on one side and Chewbacca the cat nestled on my chest, purring away.
His regular round 3 of chemo is expected to begin tomorrow and another lumbar puncture is scheduled for Saturday with inter-thecal chemo in his spine.
So your prayers are working and please keep them coming. Hoping for an even better day tomorrow!
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Yay! He's eating and getting up again! All great stuff! Thanks for keeping us posted, lady. You're doing awesome. You're all on our minds and in our hearts every minute. Thanks for taking time out to share this. We're thrilled to hear things are getting a little brighter and will continue to hold you all in our thoughts and meditations. Big big love to all four of you!
ReplyDeleteSending big hugs and healing vibes to Ollie!❤️Love Steph(formerly his kinder RECE from KWELC)
ReplyDeleteSteph, so great to hear from you. You are missed. Hope you are well.
DeleteI'm doing well, welcomed a new addition to my family in December! My son was born on the 6th. Miss you all!
DeleteGracias Dawn, que maravilla las noticias. Seguimos pensando y meditando porque Ollie, guerrero hermoso siga luchando. Familia hermosa un abrazo, toda la fuerza y admiración. Abby hermosa !!!! Los amo prinitos. Caya Camacho
ReplyDeleteBesos! 😘
DeletePrayers coming to Ollie from Kingsville. I am a friend of Aunt Bonnie and she has told me about Ollie. I am keeping him in my prayers every night.
ReplyDeletePrayers appreciated. Give Aunt Bonnie a big squeeze from all of us!
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