My name is Kaitlyn and I am a three-time childhood cancer survivor and now paediatric oncology nurse. Here is my story:
In December of 1998, my parents say I had complained about a sore stomach. At the time they were potty training me and also thought the tummy pains could be a result of me racing down the stairs on my stomach at Oma & Opa’s with my younger sister.
Shortly after a trip to the emergency department, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Wilms tumour, a rare childhood cancer affecting the kidney. I had my left kidney removed and a kinked bowel repaired before receiving the first round of chemo on Christmas Day. After numerous rounds of chemo I started radiation in July 1999. On March 31, 2000, I finished chemo forever! Or so we thought.
Five years later, I remember complaining about intense stomach pain and my parents bringing me to the emergency department at the Children’s Hospital. After a long day of tests and blood work, my oncologist entered the room, and we knew it wasn’t good news. The cancer had returned.
I had more chemo and surgeries to remove the tumour in my pelvis. In April 2005, I was prepped for a stem cell transplant at Sickkids Hospital in Toronto. I spent one month with my parents at Sickkids Hospital before returning home for more radiation and isolation for three months. In December 2005, I was cancer free, again.
In 2013, I found a small lump behind my right ear. With the expert guidance of the otolaryngology department (ENT) at Victoria Hospital, the tumour was successfully removed. I was very fortunate that surgery was the only treatment necessary for the malignant tumour. I was cancer free, again.
I was inspired by the many nurses and medical teams who provided such great care during my many treatments. In 2014, with the help of a bursary from Childcan, I attended Western University for my nursing degree. The majority of my nursing school placements were at Victoria Hospital, and it felt like home to me. I started my nursing career in adult medicine at Victoria Hospital, which happened to be the old oncology floor where I was treated 12 years earlier. Ultimately the goal was to work in paediatric oncology. Nine months later I achieved that goal and started working in Paediatrics at the Children’s Hospital in 2018 and never looked back. Today I am cancer free and thankful everyday.
I love my job as a paediatric oncology nurse! Providing care to children with cancer, and inspiring hope for them and their families is deeply fulfilling.
Throughout my various treatments and trips to the hospital, Childcan was there. They provided support for my family through parking passes, meal vouchers, fun family events, amazing holiday parties, and other social support. The support and friendly faces at Childcan made the journey with cancer a little bit easier for me and my family. Now as a nurse working with children with cancer, I have so much gratitude for Childcan and the support they provide to families during hard times.
Thank you Kaitlyn for sharing your story and for inspiring others to give through Hearts of Hope. When you give and dedicate your gift, a heart will be added to the Hearts of Hope landscape in their name.