Boston: It’s the biggest dread of all parents. Your life simply stops when your child is ill. Everything in life that was significant just a few days or hours ago suddenly becomes unimportant.
Sarah Wroblewski, a friend and teammate, received the news that worries us all two weeks ago. Declan, her son, age three, suffered from brain cancer.
In a moment, Sarah, her spouse Bobby, and their four children were preparing for the start of a new academic year. Then, in an instant, their lives had undergone a permanent transformation.
It all began approximately one month ago. JB’s twin brother Declan was claiming to have a headache. After a few trips to the doctor with Sarah, it was initially believed that Bobby had a virus or cold. Declan’s headaches worsened over the course of two weeks, and he started to become lethargic and unable or unable to go outside and play.
This went beyond a simple cold. Mother’s instincts took charge. Sarah was aware that something awful was occurring. Images of Declan that they took to Boston revealed a lump the size of a golf ball in the back of his skull. Sarah and Bobby were told by the doctors that Declan would require emergency surgery. The tumor needs to be removed whether or not it was cancerous.
A few days later, Declan had surgery, and after six agonizing hours, they were told the procedure was successful. Over ninety-five percent of the tumor was removed. But then the news they had been most afraid of arrived. The physicians concluded that it was malignant. This was validated by more thorough biopsies. Declan had medulloblastoma, an uncommon malignancy that strangely often affects young children. Their adventure had just begun, even though the procedure was completed.
It will be difficult, but this is treatable,” Sarah remarked. “We are undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy at large doses will be administered. initially, in-patient stays.”
Declan stays in the hospital even after more than a week has passed. The surgical recuperation process has been arduous and prolonged. He got up and walked for the first time only today. He has been eating again for the past few days (his favorite foods are Sour Patch Kids and jellybeans), and there is now hope that he could be able to go home in a few days.
For Declan and his siblings, Bobby, Sarah, and themselves, this cannot come soon enough. His older brother and sister, Kellen and Mallory, as well as his twin brother JB, miss him terribly.
“The toughest thing is his twin doesn’t know what’s happening, but he knows his brother is not with him every night and that this is the longest they have ever been apart,” Sarah stated. I’m not sure if his twin understands that his brother won’t be exactly the same, but all he wants is for his sibling to come home.
Declan faces an arduous journey ahead, involving multiple chemotherapy sessions spread across the ensuing half-year. Many more days and nights will be spent in the hospital. The knowledge that Boston is the best center in the world for treating and curing pediatric cancer gives Sarah and Bobby comfort.
We will overcome it, but we will find happiness in between the difficult times,” Sarah remarked. Like any parent receiving this diagnosis, we’re attempting to navigate this. Sometimes it’s just one hour at a time, but it’s only one day at a time.”
The love and support they have received from their friends, family, and community have likewise been immeasurable. It’s obvious that Declan is not waging this war by himself. A #ThumbsUpForDec has been used by hundreds of people to express their support online. The family’s GoFundMe account is becoming bigger.
Declan’s local team, Waltham High School, honored him by dressing in yellow and gold for their home opener varsity football game on Thursday night. The event also served as a fundraiser for juvenile cancer research.
Kindly continueRemember and pray for Sarah, Bobby, Declan, and their family.
The family is constantly uploading updates to this online journal, so you can track Declan’s journey.
