Getting Through

Growing pains are often something parents see their children go through and withstand.  But a week after young Jonathan Volpe, only seven at the time, complained to his parents that he was feeling mild back pain, swelling followed and a scan immediately revealed the cause as lymphoblastic lymphoma. The diagnosis thrust Jonathan’s family into a world known only to families like them who were battling cancer. The family’s normal routine was replaced by hospital visits, medical tests and treatment. While the family went through the usual emotional and financial challenges associated with fighting cancer, they like so many other families were set on getting through and beating it.

Jonathan’s mom Carla and his dad Vincent were a real team. Carla stayed with Jonathan around the clock when he was hospitalized, while Vincent cared for Jonathan’s older brother Christian who was 10 years-old at the time of Jonathan’s diagnosis. Vincent also spent some time at the hospital while Christian was in school. This resulted in missed time at work for Vincent and a very significant decrease in the family’s household income. At the same time, they incurred new expenses including excessive co-pays for medical and hospital visits and prescriptions associated with Jonathan’s treatment. The family struggled to meet their expenses and faced a potential shut-off of their electricity if their utility bill was not paid. At that point, Embrace Kids Foundation connected the Volpe’s with Family Reach. Embrace Kids Foundation provides services and programs to support the families of children being treated for cancer and other catastrophic illnesses at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Family Reach has worked with Embrace Kids Foundation as a partner for over five years.

The Family Reach financial assistance grant provided to the Volpe family to pay their utility bill was deeply appreciated by the family and enabled them to focus their energies on their son’s treatment. As Jonathan’s mom described, “Oh it helped out a lot it. It took a lot of worries off of us because we were basically on the verge of getting everything shut off. That (the FRF grant) definitely helped us and it helped us focus on what we needed to (focus on). At that time we were going through the hardest part of treatment.”

Carla also expressed her deep gratitude for the support provided her family by Embrace Kids throughout Jonathan’s treatment. As she held back tears reflecting on the support, she explained, “Oh my God! I can’t even…they were awesome! They really got us through. You know, the support that we got from them – parties, programs, events…Oh God, I can’t even tell you how much I love that organization. Just amazing!

While the support of Embrace Kids and Family Reach helped the family get through their battle with cancer, Jonathan’s mom credits her faith, her prayers and the prayers of her faith community as most important in getting them through the experience. “I leaned more on my faith than I did on anything” said Carla.  “I was pretty strong I think….. I really didn’t feel bad for myself or buckle. More toward the end I started to feel the anxieties than I did throughout the whole treatment. I was just getting through. I was on a mission you know. I wanted him (Jonathan) to get through it and that was it.”

Carla also credits Jonathan with getting her through and when asked how he did this, Carla explained, “By just never complaining and always just having trust in whatever was being done and even when he was sick he would get dressed and just do what he had to do. He never felt bad for himself. He knew he wanted to get better and wanted to be normal again.” Carla balks at any notion that Jonathan takes after her. “I think I take after him now. He taught me a lot. He really did for a little guy. Oh, he’s something else!”

By allowing him to see his friends and participate in any activities that his condition would allow, Carla also helped Jonathan get through.Though his appearance changed due to the side effects of chemotherapy treatments, Jonathan’s friends accepted him and helped him to feel normal. As she explained, “He never really lost contact with friends because basically, he was around them. He was out of school for a while in the beginning but then when he went back, even though he looked different, he still had his friends. In the beginning it was something that was not normal to see a child with no hair, no eye lashes and a hat but then basically after the first couple of days, they looked at him like Jonathan and it was just Jonathan and it was normal to see him with the hat on for a while.”

Now at the completion of Jonathan’s treatment which lasted two years, the family has gotten through the experience and Jonathan is feeling well. Though his parents are relieved and happy, they recognize that in some ways, it is a lifelong journey. Said Carla, “It feels good – that he (Jonathan) is doing well and that he feels good. We’re just happy for that. We’re grateful. It’s just getting through. It’s a lifelong thing. You go every month for blood work for a while and stuff. We’re happy that he’s ok.”