The Honorary Chairperson for the Treasure Chest Foundation’s Tenth Annual Treasuring Our Kids Fundraiser on March 23rd was six-year-old Homer Glen resident Trevor Daley. This brave young warrior is battling through his cancer treatments with the love and support of his mother, Mary Babehis, and father, John Daley. Recently they shared some of the details of Trevor’s diagnosis and the positive impact of his frequent visits to the Treasure Chest.

POTCF: Can you tell me about the time your child was diagnosed?

Mary and John: Trevor began having back pain in July of 2018. Initial x-rays did not show anything and recommendations were to follow up if back pain continued. After a couple of weeks his complaints of back pain became more frequent and   began to hinder his daily activities. Trevor’s pediatrician recommended he follow up with an orthopedic doctor. Trevor had another x-ray that did not show anything so an MRI was done. The MRI showed a mass on his L1 spine. 

POTCF: How was your child’s cancer initially detected?

Mary and John: After the initial MRI was ordered, the orthopedic doctor recommended Trevor follow up with an oncologist at Christ Hospital, along with another MRI with contrast. The oncologist recommended a biopsy be performed. A little over one week later we were informed that his biopsy results were positive for sarcoma. 

POTCF: What type of treatment did your child go through?

Mary and John: Trevor had surgery to have his port placed in September and began chemotherapy immediately thereafter. Trevor is still receiving chemotherapy and he just completed his ninth of a scheduled 14 rounds of chemo.  He has also completed 28 treatments of proton beam therapy. 

POTCF: Can you tell me about the hospitalizations/clinic?

Mary and John: Trevor is being treated at the Keyser Clinic located in Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn. The staff has been great, since the beginning they have been supportive and kind. It has been a positive experience despite the circumstances.

POTCF: What is the worst part of your child’s treatment?

Mary and John: The chemo treatments have been taxing on Trevor, affecting his energy and appetite. Trevor has kept a positive attitude throughout, but we know it has been difficult for him missing school, friends and normal kids’ activities. It is also difficult for us as a family to manage work and everyday life while being in the hospital more and away from home so much.

POTCF: What is the best part, if there is a good part, of the clinic/hospital?

Mary and John: Everyone has been very supportive and compassionate. They make our time there easier and comfortable. They genuinely show compassion, are professional and knowledgeable. We feel like we are in good hands when we are there.

POTCF: Can you tell me about the Treasure Chest at the hospital?

Mary and John: The Treasure Chest is comforting for both parents and children. It can be a painful day for Trevor but at the end he has something comforting and positive to look forward to. Trevor has had many challenging days but it always seems to brighten him up a bit when he takes home something to play with. 

POTCF: Did your relationship with friends and family change?

Mary and John: Yes we have just grown closer to people. People have continuously come through and surprised us with kind words or generosity. Many people have shown genuine interest in Trevor’s recovery and have been supportive.

POTCF: Did knowing your child would receive a toy or gift card help the hospital/clinic experience? 

Mary and John: Yes, it does help. I think it helps remind Trevor that he is a kid. Some days it’s hard for him to just be a kid. He has been amazing coping with the amount of things he is going through but it always brings him a little joy to be able to pick out a special toy from the Treasure Chest. 

POTCF: Someone told me (Colleen) that my son’s cancer treatment would change me for the better. Has this changed you in any way? 

Mary and John: We think so. It has changed our thinking in many ways. We definitely appreciate time together more and feel closer as a family. Also, it has changed how we see people in general. So many unexpected people have shown kindness and generosity, it’s hard not to feel better about people. 

POTCF: What would you say to a family who just learned their child was diagnosed with cancer? 

Mary and John: I would say to keep hope and take everything a day at a time. Try not to dive into the Internet and diagnose everything yourself. View the situation as it is because your child’s circumstances are unique compared to everyone else. Don’t be afraid to share your struggles with family and friends. Stay strong and let your child see your strength and resolve because they will follow your lead and then other times you will follow your child’s lead. This happens more than I ever thought possible but our son has been so resilient and strong it’s hard not to be inspired. Also don’t stop challenging your child because I think they need to keep trying to have a normal experience despite the unusual circumstances and they will step up to the challenge. 

POTCF: What would you say to the Treasure Chest Foundation contributors? Please elaborate on the importance of their continued contributions.

Mary and John: You cannot overestimate what it means for a child at the end of a day of chemo or blood transfusions or getting poked and prodded to be able to pick out a toy to go home with. We not only see the smile on our son’s face but on the faces of all the other children there. It helps them to be a kid after some days of not so kid-friendly stuff. 

POTCF: Please elaborate about the Treasure Chest Foundation, perhaps a personal story.

Mary and John: Trevor always brightens up when he visits the Treasure Chest. He knows he can pick out a toy without begging or negotiating with his parents. On a recent five-day chemo week we did out-patient in tandem with his proton therapy. Trevor had visited the Treasure Chest a couple times during the week, and we had been working with him on his spelling. The nurses would quiz him as well. There was one particular word he was having difficulty with. On the last day Trevor had spotted two toys in the bin and we told him to pick only one, but the nurse said, “Trevor, if you can spell the word correctly you can have both.” He thought about it for a minute, then spelled it correctly. After a long week of chemo and radiation therapy, he was so excited to get those toys and he felt accomplished in finally getting the spelling word right.