Antonio's Family

 
 
 

Age: 4 years
Hometown: Hamilton, ON
Diagnosis: Leukemia


Antonio’s Dad:
This past November (2011), our son Antonio was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  Within about two weeks of his initial treatment, he had contracted a fungal infection.  The fungal infection became so severe that over the next couple of months, we had to leave McMaster Hospital and come to Toronto (SickKids) because it had spread so much that we had difficulty trying to control it. So we came here.  With some success they were able to keep it under control and finally get on track with his leukemia treatment.  As far as the family and stuff, it’s pretty difficult. It’s hard.  Without this place, I would tell you it’s very difficult to adjust to our new lives.

Antonio’s Mom:
When your child is diagnosed you go through a lot of changes in life.  We went from a pretty comfortable family financially.  I mean we didn’t have thousands and thousands banked, but we were comfortable.  We lived, we vacationed, we had a lot of fun.  Our 3 older children, 17, 14 and 12, they did not miss out on anything.  With the diagnosis, it’s given us a change in life.  We are not working.  We have to be here.  I don’t know if there is a parent out there who would say they don’t have to be there.  It’s a struggle.  You either choose to work or you choose to be there for your child.  I can say that we both chose to be there for our child. With saying that, we have our parents helping us, hold our mortgage. We have people helping us with our children, food and gas money.

The biggest blessing in all of this is our room here at Ronald McDonald House Toronto.  Without that, I can tell you that this wouldn’t be possible for us.  One of us would have to be away from him and that’s tough.  When they tell you that your child’s percentage, chances are going down by the day, because of certain things --- you encounter different sicknesses --- the fungus, the bacteria, the influenza B, we’ve had stumble after stumble --- and when you have that you feel the need to be there at all times, by their side.  With Ronald McDonald House Toronto and the rooms that are provided, we cannot tell you how grateful we are and how thankful we are.


Antonio's family stayed at Ronald McDonald House Toronto for 184 days.