Michelle Sykora, Bryce’s mom
2019 Interview
Treasure Chest Foundation
Michelle Sykora
When their son Bryce was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age three, life changed forever for Jim and Michelle Sykora of New Lenox, IL. Throughout Bryce’s subsequent treatments at Comer Children’s Hospital at University of Chicago, the Sykora family came to recognize and appreciate the positive effects whenever Bryce selected a toy from the Treasure Chest. POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel recently conducted an interview with Michelle and came away impressed with the courage and indomitable spirit shown by the Sykoras and all families battling cancer.
TCF
Can you tell me about the time when Bryce was diagnosed?
M
I had noticed Bryce’s legs covered in bruises,
but everyone I had asked considered it normal for a little boy. Then came the swollen lymph nodes behind his ears, and all over his head. Google results brought up leukemia and while
it gave me a sick feeling in my stomach, I tried
to brush it off as something rare and not what was happening. Not to us. At this point we brought him into the pediatrician's office, and even they said it was all normal kid stuff. A few days later he developed petechiae on his arm (bleeding under the skin which looked like a rash). We again brought him to the pediatrician. This time we saw her expression change. She seemed more serious. She ran a strep test (negative) and sent us for blood work. Later
that night we received a call from her that
would change our lives forever. She thinks it is leukemia. Blood cancer. And to pack our bags
for a few days and head to Comer Children’s Hospital. I don’t know how my legs didn’t give out on me at that very moment. I felt faint.
From there we were thrown into the whirlwind
of the first week of treatment. It was almost
like an out-of-body experience. We were in
such shock it was hard to focus and listen
to everything being thrown at us.
TCF
How was Bryce’s cancer initially detected?
M
In order to confirm leukemia, a multitude
of tests were run the first week while he was
an inpatient, including X-Rays, blood work, ultrasounds, echocardiogram and a bone marrow biopsy.
TCF
What type of treatment did Bryce go through?
M
Bryce has gone through countless chemotherapies, some through his port in his chest, some by mouth, some into his central nervous system by spinal injection (which he
is sedated for). The first nine months were
spent in and out of the hospital for treatment, some inpatient stays and also ER visits when
he would get sick or have fevers. He is currently in remission and in the maintenance phase
which consists of monthly visits to the hospital and daily oral chemo. Anytime he gets a fever
of 100.3 or higher he must go to the ER. His treatment plan lasts around three-and-a-half years. And even after all his maintenance medication is complete he will still have to
go to the hospital monthly to check his blood.
TCF
Can you tell us about the hospitalizations/clinic?
M
It is very difficult to not only have a child with
a life threatening illness but to also have to
see them terrified of the hospital setting and procedures. Children’s hospitals do a good job
of providing different tools to help with this:
child life specialists, music therapists, art therapists and of course working with the Treasure Chest Foundation by giving them
toys to distract them and keep their mind off things. We like our team of oncologists, nurses, fellows, residents and therapists.
TCF
What is the worst part of Bryce’s treatment?
M
Though Bryce still gets nervous at times, he
has gotten accustomed to this new life and to the hospital. The worst part now is thinking of the future, the what ifs and the possible side effects.
TCF
What is the best part, if there is a good part,
of the clinic/hospital?
M
The best part for us is the people we have
met, and the wonderful organizations we are now a part of. We are really hoping to make
a difference and help bring pediatric cancer
to the forefront. Research is needed and better treatments for our kids!
TCF
Can you tell me about the Treasure Chest at
the hospital?
M
There is a Treasure Chest located in the oncology clinic playroom. Bryce has been able to pick out toys directly from the Chest and has also been brought toys from which to choose!
He really enjoys sifting through them.
TCF
Did knowing Bryce would receive a toy help the hospital/clinic experience?
M
Absolutely! Bryce knows that he gets to select
a toy for being very brave. He looks forward to
it and always asks everyone if he can go to the Treasure Chest. With kids going through therapy it’s extremely important to have a diversion.
TCF
Did your relationship with friends and family change?
M
Family has really helped us out by watching Lilah, Bryce’s younger sister, on many
occasions when we had to be at the hospital. Everyone had to learn the precautions required for a child on chemotherapy with low immunity. They all have been very supportive in helping
us in any way they can.
TCF
How did Bryce’s sister handle his cancer diagnosis and the aftermath?
M
Bryce’s sister was only ten months old when
he was diagnosed and she has just turned two. She still doesn’t know what is happening, but
she now gets upset whenever her brother
leaves to go to the hospital.
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
I would say that it has taught me to be more patient, not sweat the small stuff, and to be more present. It really makes you realize what’s important in life—cherishing the ones you love and spending as much time with them as possible. Health and happiness really are
of most importance.
TCF
What would you say to a family who just
learned their son or daughter had been diagnosed with cancer?
M
Breathe. Take one day at a time. Ask questions, be as informed as possible. Be your child’s advocate, speak up for them.
TCF
What would you say to the Treasure Chest Foundation contributors? Please elaborate on the importance of their continued contributions.
M
A cancer diagnosis is scary for anyone.
Children don’t understand what is happening
to them. Providing them with the joy of a new toy really can turn their day around and
provide a distraction so that they can get
their much-needed therapies. Diverting their
attention is huge. It’s the only way to do what needs to be done. The continuous flow of donations and toys are SO appreciated by everyone—kids, their parents, hospital staff. Thank you to everyone who has brought happiness to Bryce as he fights this horrible disease.
TCF
Do you have any final comments for our readers?
M
The Treasure Chest Foundation provides
a truly unique service for pediatric cancer patients. We are unbelievably thankful for
all the Foundation has provided for our
family. You have brought peace and comfort
to our son many, many times throughout this
otherwise scary process. We absolutely LOVE the Foundation and will definitely be promoting your mission and trying to help!
Michelle Sykora, Bryce’s mom
2019 Interview
Treasure Chest Foundation
Michelle Sykora
When their son Bryce was diagnosed
with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age three, life changed forever for Jim and Michelle Sykora of New Lenox, IL. Throughout Bryce’s subsequent treatments at Comer Children’s Hospital at University of Chicago, the Sykora family came to recognize and appreciate the positive effects whenever Bryce selected a toy from the Treasure Chest. POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel recently conducted an interview with Michelle and came away impressed with the courage and indomitable spirit shown by the Sykoras and all families battling cancer.
TCF
Can you tell me about the time when Bryce was diagnosed?
M
I had noticed Bryce’s legs covered in bruises, but everyone I had asked considered it normal for
a little boy. Then came the swollen lymph nodes behind
his ears, and all over his head. Google results brought up leukemia and while it gave
me a sick feeling in my stomach, I tried to brush it off as something rare and not what was happening. Not to
us. At this point we brought
him into the pediatrician's office, and even they said it was all normal kid stuff. A
few days later he developed petechiae on his arm
(bleeding under the skin
which looked like a rash).
We again brought him to the
pediatrician. This time we saw her expression change. She seemed more serious. She
ran a strep test (negative) and sent us for blood work. Later that night we received a call from her that would change our lives forever. She thinks it
is leukemia. Blood cancer. And to pack our bags for a few days and head to Comer Children’s Hospital. I don’t
know how my legs didn’t
give out on me at that very moment. I felt faint. From
there we were thrown into the whirlwind of the first week of treatment. It was almost like
an out-of-body experience.
We were in such shock it was hard to focus and listen to everything being thrown at us.
TCF
How was Bryce’s cancer initially detected?
M
In order to confirm leukemia,
a multitude of tests were run the first week while he was an inpatient, including X-Rays, blood work, ultrasounds, echocardiogram and a bone marrow biopsy.
TCF
What type of treatment did Bryce go through?
M
Bryce has gone through countless chemotherapies, some through his port in
his chest, some by mouth,
some into his central nervous system by spinal injection (which he is sedated for). The first nine months were spent
in and out of the hospital for treatment, some inpatient stays and also ER visits when he would get sick or have fevers. He is currently in remission and in the maintenance phase which consists of monthly visits to
the hospital and daily oral chemo. Anytime he gets a
fever of 100.3 or higher he
must go to the ER. His treatment plan lasts around three-and-a-half years. And even after all his maintenance medication is complete he will still have to go to the hospital monthly to check his blood.
TCF
Can you tell us about the hospitalizations/clinic?
M
It is very difficult to not
only have a child with a life threatening illness but to also have to see them terrified of the hospital setting and procedures. Children’s
hospitals do a good job of providing different tools to
help with this: child life specialists, music therapists,
art therapists and of course working with the Treasure Chest Foundation by giving them toys to distract them
and keep their mind off
things. We like our team of oncologists, nurses, fellows, residents and therapists.
TCF
What is the worst part of Bryce’s treatment?
M
Though Bryce still gets
nervous at times, he has
gotten accustomed to this
new life and to the hospital. The worst part now is thinking of the future, the what ifs and the possible side effects.
TCF
What is the best part, if there is a good part, of the clinic/hospital?
M
The best part for us is the people we have met, and the wonderful organizations we
are now a part of. We are really hoping to make a difference and help bring pediatric cancer to the forefront. Research is needed and better treatments for our kids!
TCF
Can you tell me about the Treasure Chest at the hospital?
M
There is a Treasure Chest located in the oncology clinic playroom. Bryce has been
able to pick out toys directly from the Chest and has also been brought toys from which to choose! He really enjoys sifting through them.
TCF
Did knowing Bryce would receive a toy help the hospital/clinic experience?
M
Absolutely! Bryce knows that he gets to select a toy for being very brave. He looks forward to it and always
asks everyone if he can go
to the Treasure Chest. With
kids going through therapy
it’s extremely important to have a diversion.
TCF
Did your relationship with friends and family change?
M
Family has really helped us
out by watching Lilah, Bryce’s younger sister, on many occasions when we had to be at the hospital. Everyone had to learn the precautions required for a child on chemotherapy with low immunity. They all have been very supportive in helping us
in any way they can.
TCF
How did Bryce’s sister handle his cancer diagnosis and the aftermath?
M
Bryce’s sister was only ten months old when he was diagnosed and she has just turned two. She still doesn’t know what is happening, but she now gets upset whenever her brother leaves to go to
the hospital.
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
I would say that it has taught me to be more patient, not sweat the small stuff, and to
be more present. It really makes you realize what’s important in life—cherishing
the ones you love and spending as much time with them as possible. Health and happiness really are of most importance.
TCF
What would you say to a family who just learned their son or daughter had been diagnosed with cancer?
M
Breathe. Take one day at
a time. Ask questions, be as informed as possible. Be your child’s advocate, speak up for them.
TCF
What would you say to the Treasure Chest Foundation contributors? Please elaborate on the importance of their continued contributions.
M
A cancer diagnosis is scary
for anyone. Children don’t understand what is happening to them. Providing them with the joy of a new toy really
can turn their day around
and provide a distraction
so that they can get their
much-needed therapies. Diverting their attention is huge. It’s the only way to do what needs to be done. The continuous flow of donations and toys are SO appreciated by everyone—kids, their parents, hospital staff. Thank you to everyone who has brought happiness to Bryce
as he fights this horrible disease.
TCF
Do you have any final comments for our readers?
M
The Treasure Chest
Foundation provides a truly unique service for pediatric cancer patients. We are unbelievably thankful for all the Foundation has provided for our family. You have brought peace and comfort
to our son many, many times throughout this otherwise scary process. We absolutely LOVE the Foundation and will definitely be promoting your mission and trying to help!