Leaving a Legacy
User Story
By Shirley Zago
Ethan Zago was only 5 years old when he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a rare and rapid type of cancer. After numerous tests, it was already at stage 3 and had already spread to his chest, lungs, and abdomen. The most amazing team at the Stollery Children’s Hospital was very optimistic given his age and that they were to start immediately with 6 series of aggressive treatments of chemotherapy.
I was amazed at his mom and my niece, Chelsea, a single mom at the time. I could not believe her strength and courage at keeping it altogether. Chelsea and Ethan lived in Lamont, so when Ethan was to come into the city for his treatments, Chelsea and Ethan could stay with me and we could spend time together.
It was just under a year that we had lost a very important person in our family, my mom, Chelsea's grandma and Ethan's great grandma. Ethan used to call her 'grandma big house' because she lived in a high-rise. I could feel her spirit with us, giving us strength during this most difficult time. I have often wondered why it was that my father, an immigrant, had decided to choose Edmonton as the city to raise his family over 50 years ago in which he had such hopes and dreams. His life was short-lived but his beloved remained here in Edmonton. Her life moved on and she was the warmest, most gentle and elegant mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Ethan was diagnosed in July 2007. By November of the same year, we received the miraculous news that there were no longer any traces of cancer; Ethan did not have to complete all 6 treatments. He is now 7 years old and you would never think that this brave little boy, who is now full of life, had gone through what he did. I think we witnessed such human spirit in this world renowned institute of the Stollery Children’s Hospital. Thanks to the amazing team of doctors and a special thank you to Dr. Adrianna Witol, who gave Chelsea such support. It takes a special person to do the work that she does.
Everything happens for a reason and I am a strong believer of the sixth sense that we all have called intuition. I think my father listened to his.
