My son Raheem Jason was diagnosed with Ependymoma on 20th December 2023.
Raheem is a very happy, energetic, kind and healthy child prior to Raheems diagnosis, over the course of 4 weeks, I was noticing Raheem was getting ill (cold, flu, cough) more regularly than a normal child would and we were constantly in and out of the GP.
He started to become very weak and was always so drained coming home from school at first i thought it was a bug going around.
About 10 days prior to Raheems diagnosis (10th December), he started to complain of headaches and was vomiting, I knew this wasn’t right. What does a 5 year old know about headaches? I took him to the GP twice in the course of one week and this was when we were referred to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown. After 1 hour in the hospital, the doctor analysed Raheems symptoms as he kept vomiting even without eating, he instantly referred us to Temple Street in an ambulance. My heart started to sink and was heavy at the same time because as a mother, What do you do? What do you think at this point in time?
Within 15 minutes of our arrival at Temple Street, we went for a CT scan and within 15mins the 2 doctor came up to me and asked to talk in private and brought me into a separate room and the doctors face already told me I was about to receive some news I wasn’t ready for, some bad news. He has a brain tumor on the left side which was the size of an apple and needed surgery quick as the pressure was too much on his brain.
The tumuor was removed on 21st December, 2023
Everything started to happen so fast, surgery, several tests and more scans was needed.
Before the surgery, his right side was very much weak, he couldn’t walk or even lift his hand, it was as if he was paralysed on the right side of his body. We were hospitalized and after 2 weeks the result came, they confirmed my son had grade 3 cancer and his tumour was described as it was as big as the ‘size of an apple’. Thankfully, the surgery was a success in removing the tumour and thankfully my instincts came into play as the doctors told me that if we had come any later, we would be potentially be having a different conversation. We found out we would have to travel to Essen for treatment and the hospital recommended me to the Gavin Glynn foundation. When I spoke to John, he instantly made me feel very supported.
Our lives started to change so quickly and our routine was in and out of the hospital, scan after scan, test after tests, one surgery today and another procedure tomorrow.
Without the support of The Gavin Glynn foundation, I don’t know how I would’ve coped with this journey. They have supported me in so many ways as John and Jayne is always so helpful and always makes availability to answer any questions. There is such a personal touch to the organisation, I cannot wait for Raheem to beat this journey and give back to the organisation supporting them just as they supported my son. Simple things like booking our flights, accommodations and transfers to Essen and not forgetting the wonderful and friendly Aer Lingus staff/ TGGF team at the airport. The team made our airport journey and travels so much smoother and enjoyable for Raheem. He would always ask after the lovely ladies and made a friend in Sema and Aideen.
I’m so so grateful to the foundation and will continue to support and ask those around me to also support The Gavin Glynn foundation.
Thank you always John and Jayne, God will bless you and your foundation.
Raheem and family ♥️♥️♥️