Who is Grant?
Imagine your 14-year-old son as he heads into his first year of high school, loving hockey and hanging out with his best friends. Suddenly you realize that your son is not feeling well. His whole body aches, he experiences night sweats, and has difficultly breathing. Even though he has slept all night, he wakes up tired. After a series of doctor appointments, we realize nothing about Grant's symptoms are routine or ordinary.
Grant was admitted to the hospital in August, but after a misdiagnosis, there was a rapid decline in his clinical status. We knew something was very wrong. The shocking revelation of Grant's diagnosis with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma can only be described as a surreal; a horrifying feeling that would make any parent drop to his/her knees. A tumor wrapped around his heart and left lung nearly suffocated him. Doctors caught the tumor just in time and immediately began aggressive chemotherapy. Grant has now completed three of the six scheduled chemotherapy sessions and is walking around and breathing with both lungs.
The first 24 hours following Grant's diagnosis were a blur as many of the days that have followed. Grant's journey has been met with radiation, intensive chemotherapy, and prolonged hospital stays. There have been serious side effects from the aggressive treatments and infections as a result of an immune system that has been depleted.
Teenage life is challenging enough without having to manage a life threatening illness. Grant is an extraordinary son, brother, and friend. He has faced his grueling treatments with a touching mix of humor, hope, and courage; always with a smile that is contagious. Each day he will continue to fight as quitting is not an option!
Grant on the News
Shaving heads for support, hockey team rallies around 14-year-old teammate fighting cancer
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Team rallies for stricken athlete
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