RMH

When she picked him up following a four-day school trip in May 2012, Trudy could tell something was not right with her then 12-year-old son. “He looked terrible, white, pale.  His eyes were sunken. We just chocked it up to no sleep, not eating well. I picked him up and he went to sleep after lunch that day and pretty much the next day as well.”

Even after a week, not much had changed.  A normally energetic, boy, Tanner’s energy level remained low.

A trip to the emergency room, almost four hours away, at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre in St. John’s revealed an inflammation and damage to one of Tanner’s heart muscles.  The young hockey player’s heart was functioning at about 33 per cent. He would need a heart transplant.  “I was kind of expecting it sooner or later,” says Tanner.  “I just didn’t know when.” 

Four months after being initially diagnosed, Tanner and his family arrived at SickKids in September 2012  to have him assessed for a heart transplant.  “That was scary coming from rural Newfoundland.  We live with trees in the backyard and lots of land. It was a bit scary (being in downtown Toronto).

A social worker at the hospital informed Tanner’s family about Ronald McDonald House Toronto.  They were able to get a room at the House during their initial four-day stay.

“We were just overwhelmed, everyone was so good. Not have to worry about where we were going to stay and if we got to stay how long, and that kind of stuff.  It was nice to have that worry taken away from us, having to deal with everything else that we had on the go. And just navigating the city, it was so easy to go to the hospital from here,” says Trudy.

“The staff that is down there is unbelievable, they really are, very helpful and always smiling. You can’t ask for anything better than that,” adds Tanner’s Dad.

During their first visit to SickKids (in September), hospital tests showed that Tanner was not ready for a heart transplant.  

The family was instructed to return in mid-January 2013.  Tanner was now ready to get a new heart.  He was listed for a transplant on January 22nd. The family was told to be prepared to wait for anywhere from six months to 2 years for the right match to be found.  That donor heart would have to be from a child 11-16 years old, either gender, any race --- but mirroring the size and blood type of Tanner’s own failing heart.

On January 29th, while sleeping in their beds at the House, the family was awakened suddenly. “At 6:15 in the morning, the phone rang and I couldn’t believe my ears,” says Trudy. “I’m still in shock from that phone call.” A donor match had been found. The family was told that it was one of the fastest wait times ever at the hospital.  

Later that day, during an almost 6-hour surgery, Tanner received his new heart. “It feels like someone else is with you, a little bit,” he says.

The family shudders to think what would have happened without being able to stay at Ronald McDonald House Toronto. “We would have to lose our house,” says Phillip. "We would have to look for an apartment here (in Toronto).” 

Adds Trudy, “It feels very safe here, very comfortable. It is a refuge. The simplest things and details offered are amazing. For us it is more intimidating to take the subway than driving a car, so we are grateful for the Subaru (family car). The School was a bonus as well the Home for Dinners.”

The family was also able to bring their younger son to stay with them during Tanner’s three-month healing and recover, post-transplant.

And Tanner’s favourite part of the House?  “Our room because you’re able to relax and play your Xbox.”

It won’t be long before Tanner is able to hit the ice back home in Mt. Burin Arm, playing hockey again. This time with his new heart!

Tanner's family stayed at the House on four separate occasions, totalling 77 days.