Our Children
Meet Our Children of 2010
Draxton Homen
Age 8. Edmonton.
From his first consult at two months old to his ongoing medical care, the Stollery Children’s Hospital has been a big part of Draxton’s life.
As an infant Draxton suffered from severe reflux and had difficulty getting the nutrients he needed. Doctors at the Stollery have performed numerous surgeries on Draxton, including a procedure to remove 80% of his stomach and another to remove part of his bowel. As a result of these surgeries, Draxton also had a feeding tube inserted to ensure he received the nutrients he needed.
Now in grade two, Draxton no longer needs his feeding tube and is an active eight-year-old. He loves to play hockey and is looking forward to starting lacrosse this year, thanks to the dedicated team at the Stollery who saved his life.
Michael Andrews
Age 7. Calgary.
When Michael was two years old, doctors at the Alberta Children’s Hospital discovered his abdomen was filled with cancer. Both of his kidneys and his aorta were encased in tumors. He was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma, an almost always fatal diagnosis.
After undergoing several weeks of chemotherapy and surgery to remove what was left of the tumors, Michael needed a stem cell rescue. This procedure involved removing Michael’s blood, separating out the stem cells and putting the blood back in his body.
Michael was then put on an experimental drug to reduce the risk of relapse from 80% likely to almost nil. The drug has proven so successful it is now used as part of the standard protocol. Alberta Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology Program Director, Dr. Doug Strother, calls this drug the greatest breakthrough in the fight against this disease he’s ever seen.
