Jessica's graduation
It was in May of 2012 when Jessica had to put a pause on her active lifestyle. An avid skier and overall sports enthusiast, Jessica began to experience pain in her leg that resulted in swelling and difficulty walking. At first, she believed it must be an injury. But when the pain hadn’t subsided by the time July rolled around, Jessica was admitted to SickKids and diagnosed with osteosarcoma – bone cancer. A tumour was growing above her knee, breaking her femur, and smaller tumours were growing on her lungs. Jessica underwent chemotherapy and then rotationplasty, which involved removing her left knee, rotating her lower leg and reattaching it with her ankle joint used as a new knee joint. The decision to undergo rotationplasty provided Jessica with the option to resume her active lifestyle using a below-the-knee prosthetic which would provide her with more mobility.Today, Jessica is in remission and looking forward to a new chapter in her life: attending university. As Jessica faces her graduation, not only from high school, but from SickKids, she took the time to reflect on her SickKids experience and share what excites her about her next life chapter.
GUEST BLOG: Jessica
When I think back to my time at SickKids, the one thing that really stands out for me is how the doctors and nurses treated us like family. I think that is the one thing that will always come to my mind when I think back to those times. Through everything they do, it is obvious how much they care about their patients. They are still the people I go back to visit whenever I am near SickKids. They really do become a second family in situations where the hospital is a second home, like it was for me.
I believe my family and I will always view SickKids as a second home. We lived there for the better part of 10 months. We will cherish and remember the people who work at SickKids who helped to make an awful experience a lot more tolerable. I hope that no one ever has to go through what I went through, but the nurses and doctors at the hospital do try to make it as comfortable as possible for you during your treatment. I think, in a way, it also helped my family become closer as we spent so much time together, especially with my parents.
During my time at SickKids, there were a number of people who made a big impact on me.
My lead oncologist, Dr. Gupta, my resident, Dr. Abbott, my main surgeon, Dr. Hopyan, and my lung surgeon, Dr. Gerstle, were hugely impactful on me; they are the main reasons I am still alive today. The two people that had the biggest impact on me were my favourite nurses, Briar and Ange. They were there from my first chemo, through all of my surgeries, and were actually the two nurses that ran my final round of chemo. There are so many moments that I can look back on as reasons as to why these two nurses had such an impact on my life, but one that stands out the most is the night I was having horrid night terrors due to a medication I was on. Briar actually climbed into my hospital bed with me and held me until I was able to calm down and understand that it had only been a dream. It is moments like this one that make me look back on my time at SickKids and realize I was treated by the best, and most caring, medical staff in the world.
I met a lot of fantastic people while at SickKids. I even met my best friend, Yusuf, through SickKids. We were diagnosed with the same cancer within a few days of each other and became instant friends. We became incredibly close; I can only describe him as the male version of me. He made getting through my treatment and time at the hospital a lot more bearable. The best way I can describe how much of an impact Yusuf had on me is through the tattoo I have on my ribs in his honour; his favourite phrase “embrace uncertainty”. Unfortunately, Yusuf didn’t win his battle and passed away just over a year ago.
Another patient I met that has made an impression on me and become a wonderful part of my life is a young girl named Emma. Last year, I had the chance to meet Emma to show her my surgery as she had just been diagnosed and was trying to decide on her surgery. Immediately, I was blown away by how positive her outlook on everything was. She and I quickly became close friends and she continues to amaze me with how much drive she has.
To those who are just beginning their journey at SickKids, this is the advice I can offer you. Never feel bad about asking questions. Ask as many questions as you want, and advocate for yourself. It can be scary when you’re young and you’re thrown into a situation where all of a sudden all you know is you’re really sick and everyone around you starts using all these huge medical terms you don’t understand. Sometimes it can be really scary to ask what everything means, but if it will make you feel better – never be afraid to ask for more explanations. Please know you are in the best hands. SickKids is home to the best doctors and nurses in the world and they are going to do everything in their power to give you the best care in the world.
Looking ahead, I’m really excited about graduating. I’m definitely more excited to graduate than nervous. I’m really looking forward to starting university, and embracing the changes it will bring as well as the opportunities. I am incredibly excited to begin the next chapter of my life, to see how it unfolds and to experience everything that it brings.
I will be attending McMaster University starting in September. I will be studying Social Science with a major in Political Science. I chose to study Political Science because the science behind politics and policy writing has always been incredibly interesting to me. After finishing my undergrad at McMaster my goal is to complete Law School at the University of Toronto and to practice criminal, international, constitutional or family law.
I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life and cannot wait to experience everything it has to offer. Experiences that are thanks to the care and treatment I received at SickKids. Thank you SickKids for everything you have given me.
When I think back to my time at SickKids, the one thing that really stands out for me is how the doctors and nurses treated us like family. I think that is the one thing that will always come to my mind when I think back to those times. Through everything they do, it is obvious how much they care about their patients. They are still the people I go back to visit whenever I am near SickKids. They really do become a second family in situations where the hospital is a second home, like it was for me.
I believe my family and I will always view SickKids as a second home. We lived there for the better part of 10 months. We will cherish and remember the people who work at SickKids who helped to make an awful experience a lot more tolerable. I hope that no one ever has to go through what I went through, but the nurses and doctors at the hospital do try to make it as comfortable as possible for you during your treatment. I think, in a way, it also helped my family become closer as we spent so much time together, especially with my parents.
"I’m really looking forward to starting university, and embracing the changes it will bring as well as the opportunities."
My lead oncologist, Dr. Gupta, my resident, Dr. Abbott, my main surgeon, Dr. Hopyan, and my lung surgeon, Dr. Gerstle, were hugely impactful on me; they are the main reasons I am still alive today. The two people that had the biggest impact on me were my favourite nurses, Briar and Ange. They were there from my first chemo, through all of my surgeries, and were actually the two nurses that ran my final round of chemo. There are so many moments that I can look back on as reasons as to why these two nurses had such an impact on my life, but one that stands out the most is the night I was having horrid night terrors due to a medication I was on. Briar actually climbed into my hospital bed with me and held me until I was able to calm down and understand that it had only been a dream. It is moments like this one that make me look back on my time at SickKids and realize I was treated by the best, and most caring, medical staff in the world.
I met a lot of fantastic people while at SickKids. I even met my best friend, Yusuf, through SickKids. We were diagnosed with the same cancer within a few days of each other and became instant friends. We became incredibly close; I can only describe him as the male version of me. He made getting through my treatment and time at the hospital a lot more bearable. The best way I can describe how much of an impact Yusuf had on me is through the tattoo I have on my ribs in his honour; his favourite phrase “embrace uncertainty”. Unfortunately, Yusuf didn’t win his battle and passed away just over a year ago.
Another patient I met that has made an impression on me and become a wonderful part of my life is a young girl named Emma. Last year, I had the chance to meet Emma to show her my surgery as she had just been diagnosed and was trying to decide on her surgery. Immediately, I was blown away by how positive her outlook on everything was. She and I quickly became close friends and she continues to amaze me with how much drive she has.
To those who are just beginning their journey at SickKids, this is the advice I can offer you. Never feel bad about asking questions. Ask as many questions as you want, and advocate for yourself. It can be scary when you’re young and you’re thrown into a situation where all of a sudden all you know is you’re really sick and everyone around you starts using all these huge medical terms you don’t understand. Sometimes it can be really scary to ask what everything means, but if it will make you feel better – never be afraid to ask for more explanations. Please know you are in the best hands. SickKids is home to the best doctors and nurses in the world and they are going to do everything in their power to give you the best care in the world.
Looking ahead, I’m really excited about graduating. I’m definitely more excited to graduate than nervous. I’m really looking forward to starting university, and embracing the changes it will bring as well as the opportunities. I am incredibly excited to begin the next chapter of my life, to see how it unfolds and to experience everything that it brings.
I will be attending McMaster University starting in September. I will be studying Social Science with a major in Political Science. I chose to study Political Science because the science behind politics and policy writing has always been incredibly interesting to me. After finishing my undergrad at McMaster my goal is to complete Law School at the University of Toronto and to practice criminal, international, constitutional or family law.
I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life and cannot wait to experience everything it has to offer. Experiences that are thanks to the care and treatment I received at SickKids. Thank you SickKids for everything you have given me.
