RMH

Nylah's family is from Elliot Lake, Ontario.  They came to Ronald McDonald House Toronto when Nylah was just days old.

What circumstance brought you and Nylah to Ronald McDonald House Toronto?
Nylah was born prematurely at Mount Sinai Hospital by elective caesarean, after a fetal MRI detected tumours in her lungs, along with a mass on her left cheek. She was brought over to SickKids Hospital immediately following her birth to be closely monitored and for further testing. After I was discharged from the hospital, I was fortunate to have Ronald McDonald House Toronto available to me after long and emotional days in the NICU.

What was/is Nylah's medical diagnosis?
Initially, the doctors believed Nylah would be born with cancer. Another MRI scan that was performed after her birth resulted in detecting numerous tumours in the majority of her organs as well as her bones. A biopsy was performed on the mass on her cheek, and the doctors were able to give a diagnosis of congenital multi focal myofibromatosis. This is an extremely rare type of cancer that required her to begin chemotherapy at the age of one month. 

What would you have done without the House?
Without the Ronald McDonald House Toronto, I would have exhausted my financial resources. The financial burden along with the emotional stress of having a sick child would have been overwhelming. Ronald McDonald House Toronto provided a home away from home that helped to maintain some normalcy through such a difficult time. 

What surprised you most about the House?
The most surprising thing about Ronald McDonald House Toronto was the fact that despite being filled with families going through tremendous hardship, the tone of the House was always uplifting with people smiling and interacting with each other on such a positive level. 

What did you enjoy most about your stay at the House/favourite memory?
My most memorable moments within the House were during the Home for Dinners, where the families would have the opportunity to share their stories of what their children were going through. It was always comforting to know that the people you were surrounded by were all going through similiar circumstances with having a sick child.

What would you like to say to those individuals and companies who donate funds to keep the House open and operating?
There is no way to express the gratitude and appreciation I feel for the people and organizations who help with keeping Ronald McDonald House Toronto open. 

In what ways did your stay at the House impact Nylah's healing and recovery?
Due to the fact that our primary residence is in a rural community, Nylah's complicated medical condition would not be able to be treated close to home. Nylah and I were able to stay at Ronald McDonald House Toronto while receiving treatment and having the security of being in close proximity to Sick Kids Hospital. 

Anything else you would like to add about your stay at the House?
I will forever be thankful to the staff, sponsors and people I have met during our three month stay at Rnald McDonald House Toronto. It was an experience that has changed my life forever, and I look forward to sharing these memories with my daughter as she has amazed me going through this journey being stronger than she knows.