Mary Babehis and John Daley, Trevor’s parents
2019 Interview
Treasure Chest Foundation
Mary Babehis and John Daley
TCF
Can you tell me about the time your child was diagnosed?
M&J
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.
TCF
How was your child’s cancer initially detected?
M&J
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.
TCF
What type of treatment did your child go through?
M&J
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.
TCF
Can you tell us about the hospitalizations/clinic?
M&J
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.
TCF
What is the worst part of your child’s treatment?
M&J
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.
TCF
What is the best part, if there is a good part,
of the clinic/hospital?
M&J
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.
TCF
Can you tell me about the Treasure Chest at
the hospital?
M&J
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.
TCF
Did your relationship with friends and family change?
M&J
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.
TCF
Did knowing your child would receive a toy or gift card help the hospital/clinic experience?
M&J
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.
TCF
Someone told me (Colleen) that my son’s
cancer treatment would change me for the better. Has this changed you in any way?
M&J
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.
TCF
What would you say to a family who just
learned their child was diagnosed with cancer?
M&J
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.
TCF
What would you say to the Treasure Chest Foundation contributors? Please elaborate on the importance of their continued contributions.
M&J
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.
TCF
Please elaborate about the Treasure Chest Foundation, perhaps a personal story.
M&J
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.
Mary Babehis and John Daley
Trevor’s parents
2019 Interview
Treasure Chest Foundation
Mary Babehis and John Daley
TCF
Can you tell me about the time your child was diagnosed?
M&J
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.
TCF
How was your child’s cancer initially detected?
M&J
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.
TCF
What type of treatment did your child go through?
M&J
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.
TCF
Can you tell us about the hospitalizations/clinic?
M&J
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.
TCF
What is the worst part of your child’s treatment?
M&J
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.
TCF
What is the best part, if
there is a good part, of
the clinic/hospital?
M&J
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.
TCF
Can you tell me about the Treasure Chest at the hospital?
M&J
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.
TCF
Did your relationship with friends and family change?
M&J
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.
TCF
Did knowing your child would receive a toy or gift card help the hospital/clinic experience?
M&J
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.
TCF
Someone told me (Colleen) that my son’s cancer
treatment would change
me for the better. Has this changed you in any way?
M&J
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.
TCF
What would you say to a family who just learned their child was diagnosed with cancer?
M&J
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.
TCF
What would you say to the Treasure Chest Foundation contributors? Please elaborate on the importance of their continued contributions.
M&J
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.
TCF
Please elaborate about the Treasure Chest Foundation, perhaps a personal story.
M&J
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.