RMH

A glimpse into Alexandra's life, through the eyes of her mom.  Her family is from Barrie, Ontario.

What circumstance brought you and Alexandra to Ronald McDonald House Toronto?
Alexandra had emergency surgery to remove her kidney on February 13th, 2013. Her recovery from surgery was expected to take at least two weeks and so my husband and I took turns staying with her at SickKids or at Ronald McDonald House Toronto.

What was/is Alexandra’s medical diagnosis?
Pathology revealed that Alexandra has a new and rare form of kidney cancer. She will receive chemo for the next 12 months, with six weeks of radiation starting mid-May.

What would you have done without Ronald McDonald House Toronto?
I don't know what we would have done without the House! It gave us a place to recharge our "batteries" mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It was a refuge. Without it, our family would have been separated for at least a month while Alexandra recovered from surgery and received her first round of chemo as an inpatient.

What surprised you most about Ronald McDonald House Toronto?
What surprised us most about the House is how beautiful and homey it is. We always felt welcomed and at home. And our friends and family who visited us there commented on the same feeling - what a blessing the House is in such a difficult time.

What kind of impact did Alexandra’s diagnosis have on your family (emotionally, financially, other)?
Emotionally? It's like we were pulled suddenly out of our world and plunked into a universe that runs parallel to our life. We can see everyone, see what our life was like even 24 hours before, but there is a thick glass wall between us and our old life. Our friends and family can pass through the wall, but it's impenetrable to us... absolutely surreal and numbing... Financially it's a hardship. My husband and I have both been granted short-term leave for which we are grateful, but there are new expenses we certainly hadn't budgeted for.

What did you enjoy most about your stay at Ronald McDonald House Toronto/favourite memory?
Our son's favourite part of staying at the House is playing hockey in the playroom downstairs! Alexandra also loves the giant playroom, but not for hockey! As parents, our favourite part is meeting families who have been taken out of their regular lives like us. Everyone at the House has a crazy story, and in a strange way it makes us feel less alone. We have made some good friends there and it's always nice to hear that someone is better and a family is going home.

What would you like to say to those individuals and companies who donate funds to keep the House open and operating?
Thank you! I keep you all in my prayers and thank God for your generosity every day. What would we have done without your support? Thank you. You have made a real difference in our lives. Please know that!

In what ways did your stay at the House impact Alexandra’s healing and recovery?
Well, bringing her to the House for the weekend between her recovery and the start of  chemo gave her one last chance to feel "normal" before the real work began. We hope to stay at the House for the six weeks of her radiation because her chemo protocol is intense and demanding on her body; she has experienced some terrible side effects. Add in the radiation and I really want to be close to the hospital! There is real comfort in knowing the House is there if we need it.

Anything else you would like to add about your stay at Ronald McDonald House Toronto?
The staff and volunteers go out of their way to make sure you have what you need and are comfortable. I can't thank them enough for their kindness.