When their now one-year-old daughter Sydney was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma cancer at the tender age of four months, Oswego, IL residents Jenna and Jeremy Brown knew their lives would become quite different. Father Jeremy is a high school teacher and mother Jenna is a self-described “elementary reading interventionist, first-time Mom and nonprofit founder.” Throughout Sydney’s cancer treatments at Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, IL, the Browns have appreciated the positive effects whenever Sydney receives a toy from the Treasure Chest. POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel recently interviewed Jenna to gain insight into the Brown family’s experience and was impressed with the remarkable courage they have shown in the face of adversity.

POTCF: Can you tell me about the time when Sydney was diagnosed?

Jenna: When Sydney was about two-and-a-half months old we had noticed a lump develop, what seemed like overnight, on the side of her neck. We contacted our pediatrician and the investigation started. After the pediatrician looked at it we saw a thyroid specialist and an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist. Sydney’s bloodwork wasn’t showing any thyroid issues so we continued on with the ENT. After more tests and scans the ENT thought that Sydney had undeveloped tissue in her neck. The placement was concerning as it was sitting near the carotid artery, so a surgery to remove the mass was scheduled.

POTCF: How was Sydney’s cancer initially detected?

Jenna: After her surgery we spent about eight days in the hospital recovering and working on feeds. Due to the location of the surgery a nerve was cut that caused Horner’s syndrome in her eye. Also, Sydney had failed the swallow test. A feeding tube was placed and it took a few days to get that just right.

I was in the room by myself with Syd when a doctor came in and asked me what I knew about the tumor/mass. I told him everything we’d done and that it was just undeveloped tissue. He then told me that the mass had been sent out for testing and had come back malignant. At first I forgot what malignant meant and when I realized I then told him I thought he was in the wrong room, he couldn’t have been talking about my daughter, she was too little. He told me the pediatric oncologist would be by in a bit. The oncologist was very kind and explained everything.

POTCF: What type of treatment did Sydney go through?

Jenna: It started as monitoring with ultrasounds and urine tests but once her numbers began to increase more testing was done and chemotherapy was the next step. She is currently going through chemo.

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

Jenna: Clinic has been great, the entire staff is fabulous. They’re so incredibly sweet to my daughter. We recently celebrated her first birthday and they had a sign and sang to her. They go above and beyond to make sure our questions are answered and any concerns are addressed.

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

Jenna: I think all of the unknowns, waiting to see if she has side effects from the chemo—that’s the hardest thing.

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

Jenna: The blessing in all of this has been the wonderful people who have been brought into our lives. Everyone at the hospital and clinic has been fabulous to my daughter.

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

Jenna: It’s one of the coolest things we’ve seen at the clinic. Anytime my daughter is there it’s like a fun new discovery. I’ve seen kids leaving the clinic with these huge smiles while showing off what they picked out!

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

Jenna: We went in for her first round of bloodwork and when that was finished they came back with this super cute, pink My Little Pony. She loved it! She held onto that pony the whole way home. Immediately I started looking up information about the Treasure Chest Foundation because honestly it was just the sweetest thing after a rough visit. She still plays with that pony and it’s an amazing reminder of the people who have supported us on this journey.

POTCF: Has your relationship with friends and family changed?

Jenna: Yes, but in some amazing ways. I knew immediate family members had my back and Sydney’s too, there was no doubt. Seeing cousins and extended family members step up has been incredible. You know you’re loved normally, but when something like this hits it’s like everyone steps up their game to make sure you know it every day.

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

Jenna: I’d have to agree with that 100 percent. I think that because of what we’ve had to go through I’ve done my best to become more informed. I knew pediatric cancer existed but that was it. Now I’ve done my homework and want to learn about how to help. I just want to share everything I’ve learned so that there are more people who can help.

POTCF: What would you say to a family who just learned their son or daughter had been diagnosed with cancer?

Jenna: Take a minute and breathe, it’s okay to not be okay because some days you won’t be. It’s okay to have all the feelings because you will go through every emotion possible and in ways you don’t anticipate. There’s a community bigger than you can imagine who’s here for you in ways you wouldn’t expect.

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

Jenna: PLEASE DON’T STOP DONATING! This Foundation truly is a game changer. By donating you are giving these warrior kids something to look forward to. You’re letting them know their struggles are acknowledged and supported. You’re also reminding them that while they are amazing warriors, they also get to be kids and have fun and enjoy playing.

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

Jenna: We had this one time at the clinic, it was a seven-and-a-half hour chemo day. Sydney was about eight months old so it was a long day for her. She was starting to get fussy, which no one could blame her for, but we only had an hour to go. The nurse went and found one of the Fisher-Price seahorses that plays nursery rhymes and is soft and has a belly that glows. I swear Sydney instantly forgot she was upset and hugged that seahorse so tight. It literally saved our day. After several months she still hugs that seahorse like the first time.

POTCF: Any final comments?

Jenna: YOU ARE ALL AMAZING AND WE CAN’T EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION ENOUGH!