Letter from the Jackson family
Dear Ronald McDonald House:
It has been three years since our family received the devastating news that our four-year old grandson, Garret, had Burkett’s Lymphoma, but even after this time I still remember the relief of knowing we had a “home” away from home at the Savannah Ronald McDonald House.
To understand how important this was I must start at the beginning. It all started with a tummy ache, followed with tests that showed a “kink” in his intestines. The surgery went well as they had to resection the small intestines but a hard mass was removed from the intestine wall. We went through an emotional time when we were told yes the mass was benign and then “no it is not” and then finally the verdict of Burkett’s Lymphoma – a very aggressive cancer. There were weeks of bone marrow tests, spinal taps and surgery to insert a catheter before his first treatment. During this time, our family was still in shock, not realizing that we had to face so much more. Thankfully, we had the love, support and prayers of family, friends and a wonderful church family.
Garret was a “trooper” during these days and his mom, dad, and I spent the time with him in the hospital while his grandfather stayed home taking care of the great-grandparents. When he was home between treatments there were still trips back and forth to the oncology clinic and injections that his mom gave him at home. As the treatments continued things were harder for him and he needed blood transfusions. He got the flu and with no resistance to fight he was put in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
This is when RMH was an answer to prayer. Our “home” there allowed one of us to rest while the others stayed with Garret. He was in PICU on a ventilator for 23 days fighting for his life. Because of RMH we did not have to worry about where to eat, sleep and bathe. We even had access to the internet which allowed us to send e-mail updates to those who were praying for him. However, the most special part was the love and support we felt from the staff. RMH was truly our “home” away from home at a time when we needed a home filled with love.
Garret is now cancer free. His days are filled with second grade, karate, guitar lessons and being a seven year-old full of energy. Thank you RMH for helping us at this difficult time of our lives.
Love, The Jackson Family Back to Family Stories
It has been three years since our family received the devastating news that our four-year old grandson, Garret, had Burkett’s Lymphoma, but even after this time I still remember the relief of knowing we had a “home” away from home at the Savannah Ronald McDonald House.
To understand how important this was I must start at the beginning. It all started with a tummy ache, followed with tests that showed a “kink” in his intestines. The surgery went well as they had to resection the small intestines but a hard mass was removed from the intestine wall. We went through an emotional time when we were told yes the mass was benign and then “no it is not” and then finally the verdict of Burkett’s Lymphoma – a very aggressive cancer. There were weeks of bone marrow tests, spinal taps and surgery to insert a catheter before his first treatment. During this time, our family was still in shock, not realizing that we had to face so much more. Thankfully, we had the love, support and prayers of family, friends and a wonderful church family.
Garret was a “trooper” during these days and his mom, dad, and I spent the time with him in the hospital while his grandfather stayed home taking care of the great-grandparents. When he was home between treatments there were still trips back and forth to the oncology clinic and injections that his mom gave him at home. As the treatments continued things were harder for him and he needed blood transfusions. He got the flu and with no resistance to fight he was put in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
This is when RMH was an answer to prayer. Our “home” there allowed one of us to rest while the others stayed with Garret. He was in PICU on a ventilator for 23 days fighting for his life. Because of RMH we did not have to worry about where to eat, sleep and bathe. We even had access to the internet which allowed us to send e-mail updates to those who were praying for him. However, the most special part was the love and support we felt from the staff. RMH was truly our “home” away from home at a time when we needed a home filled with love.
Garret is now cancer free. His days are filled with second grade, karate, guitar lessons and being a seven year-old full of energy. Thank you RMH for helping us at this difficult time of our lives.
Love, The Jackson Family Back to Family Stories
