As my family heads into this Christmas season, we were all confronted with the distressing news that one of our own, one of our youngest has been given a terrible burden to contend with.
The following was written by my sister in law Rachel:
"My five year old nephew Bailey was diagnosed with an aggressive
cancerous brain tumor and two tumors on his spine on Thursday 9th
December after being ill on and off for approx 5 months. Most of the
brain tumor was removed on Sunday 12th December during a 7 hour
operation at Melbourne's Royal Childrens Hospital.
Bailey Lang, taken December 11th December 2010 - day before surgery.
Unfortunately it
was attached to a couple of important parts of his brain including the
brain stem and he will now have to undergo radiation treatment and
chemotherapy over the coming weeks and months. The other two tumors are
still too small to operate on so his specialists are hoping that they
will be able to treat them with the chemo and radiation therapy.
Bailey's Dad has been unable to work for the last 6 months because of all the
doctors appointments that Bailey has had to try and find out what was
wrong with him. Sadly there isn't much money left to help with the cost
of Christmas for Bailey and his 3yr old sister Blayne, not to mention
the cost of keeping the house going here in Moe and being down in
Melbourne with Bailey.
I have opened a bank account in
Bailey’s name for any donations to be used to help with expenses for
Bailey and his family. I have also signed onto Paypal. At this time, I am hoping you and your family may be able to
make a small donation to help this family in their time of need.
Yours sincerely,
Rachael Mayes (Bailey’s aunty)."
Donations can be made in person at any Bendigo Bank branch using the following details
BSB: 633000
Acct Number: 141847160
Acct Name: Bailey James Lang
Via Paypal using the following email address:
armayes@iinet.net.au
armayes@iinet.net.au
or by sending a cheque to:
The Bailey Lang Fund.
c/- Rachael Mayes
77 Newark Avenue
NEWBOROUGH VIC 3825.
AUSTRALIA.
I had a whole other post to write in the lead-up to Christmas but in view of the circumstances and other things that are going on right now, I will jump in early and wish you all a safe and Happy Christmas. In the words of my personal hero, journalist Matt Price...
"Life is precious...hug your loved ones"
DFA.
How terribly sad. Your family is in my thoughts Dean.
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather. We're kind of in the eye of a storm right now. Breathless that it could have happened at all. It's being described as a melanoma which is truly bizarre because he's always so sunsmart and the brain tumor has never seen the sunlight.
ReplyDeletePlease spread the word if you can.
An update...
ReplyDeleteBailey has been out of bed today for a shower for the first time since his surgery. He was able to walk with assistance but is now so buggered that he has been sleeping for the last couple of hours.
The vomiting is still continuing let's hope he can be well enough by the middle of the week to be allowed to leave hospital for Xmas day with the family...
What a terrible tragedy, Dean! your poor sister! And your sweet little nephew...it breaks my heart. I'll do what I can...
ReplyDeleteI am so, so terribly sorry for this awful tragey. Bailey looks so sweet and adorable! I'll try to do what I can. I hope with all my heart that Bailey's chemotherapy and radiation treatment emerge successful. :)
ReplyDelete