‘When your world is falling aside … the smallest gestures can typically imply essentially the most,’ says mother, recalling the care, compassion and unforgettable moments at Southlake as her son efficiently fought most cancers six years in the past
That is a part of a collection of articles highlighting 100 years of care and group as Southlake Regional Well being Centre celebrates its centennial this yr.
When Samantha’s son, Lawrence, was recognized with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at simply 19 months outdated, she was residing each guardian’s worst nightmare.
Roughly 1,000 kids are recognized with most cancers yearly in Canada. Their tales are stuffed with therapies, hospitals visits and a variety of feelings, as their care crew turns into uniquely embedded into their lives. All through Lawrence’s profitable remedy, Samantha and her household skilled first-hand the modern care, compassion and assist Southlake has turn into identified for over the previous century.
“Each time we walked into the hospital, we felt comfy, welcomed and identified by everybody we encountered. Even after his therapies have been finished and he now not wanted to go to Southlake, Lawrence would at all times ask once we might return to ‘Snowflake’ as he appreciated to name it. This meant that, regardless of how scary it might have felt for Lawrence, he was by no means afraid, and for us as a household, that meant the world.”
Lawrence’s most cancers journey started in 2014 after an unexplained fall led the household to the emergency division and blood work confirmed irregular cell counts. Following a brief keep at a specialised pediatric hospital, Lawrence was positioned into the professional care of Southlake’s regional most cancers care centre, one of many top-performing most cancers applications as ranked by Ontario Well being.
Samantha remembers how the crew at Southlake went above and past for not solely her younger son, however her total household.
“From the various little methods they made Lawrence really feel particular and put a smile on his face to how they comforted and communicated with us all through his remedy, Southlake at all times made us really feel essential. They have been attentive to small particulars even throughout essentially the most troublesome moments, at all times prepared with a small reward for Lawrence and toys and actions for his brother to go the time with throughout appointments. They have been with us each step of the way in which and Southlake felt like greater than only a place to obtain remedy — it felt like house.”
Although many particular reminiscences have been created throughout the household’s time with Southlake, one reminiscence particularly stands out above the remainder.
In 2018, after 4 years of remedy, Lawrence proudly rang the bell after finishing his ultimate spherical of chemotherapy. To rejoice this milestone, Lawrence acquired a shock go to from one among his favorite superheroes, Batman, who additionally represented the bravery he confirmed all through his remedy. For Samantha, it was a second she would always remember.
“In any case we had been by, to see Lawrence with a giant smile on his face as he acquired to satisfy and play with one among his heroes, and to know that he was now on his approach to a more healthy future, it was a mom’s dream come true. The day was much more particular as a result of we have been joined by lots of the individuals who had made our expertise so particular, together with nurses, volunteers and even a number of the different older sufferers he appreciated to wave to as he walked the hallways.”
For households like Samantha’s, who stay in Barrie, it was a aid and a blessing that this unforgettable expertise and modern care could possibly be delivered near house — a proven fact that continues to resonate for sufferers from as far north as Muskoka and as far south a North York who’ve relied on Southlake for many years.
“Having a hospital we might depend on for Lawrence’s therapies that have been available to us in our personal yard was nothing wanting unbelievable. Most cancers is demanding sufficient as it’s, however as a household with a number of younger kids, I can’t think about what it will have been like making an attempt to hurry hours away to downtown Toronto for each appointment and check-up. As an alternative, we might discover the absolute best remedy close by from compassionate professionals who knew us and the group effectively, placing us comfy and relieving a number of the immense pressures we have been experiencing.”
As we speak, Lawrence resides life to its fullest because the superhero he’s, a cheerful and wholesome 12-year-old boy who enjoys taking part in hockey, spending time along with his siblings, studying to color, going to highschool and nonetheless, after all, listening to about Batman. As she displays on her son’s most cancers journey and her household’s expertise at Southlake, Samantha affords some phrases of knowledge that she hopes could be useful for others going by comparable experiences.
“When your world is falling aside, you haven’t any selection however to search for the positives. There are such a lot of little moments, small wins and great individuals that may elevate you up by your darkest days, so it’s essential to concentrate on these as a lot as you may, as a result of the smallest gestures can typically imply essentially the most. Due to Southlake, there was no scarcity of those moments throughout Lawrence’s remedy. Even now, seven years later, these are the reminiscences we cherish most and those we proceed to be pleased about.”
For 100 years and counting, Southlake has constructed wholesome communities by vanguard care with an unwavering satisfaction for individuals, place and efficiency. To rejoice its centennial anniversary, Southlake is revisiting a few of its hallmark tales and achievements through the years by the Southlake100 collection. Be taught extra about Southlake’s esteemed historical past and the way they’re celebrating all year long at southlake.ca.
