September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer diagnosis follows months of searching for answers to child’s ills Mother urges others to follow their instincts, demand answers

By Pat Bailey

By Dr. Karen Archer has learned never to take her family time for granted.

For the local dentist, that point was driven home on Dec. 24, 2008.

That day is etched in her memory — and not one of a happy Christmas Eve with her husband Scott and her three youngsters gathered around a Christmas tree laden with gifts.

Instead, it was one spent in shock, trying to comprehend the news she was given while in a London hospital with her son Alex, now six.

Alex's aches, pains, exhaustion and pale complexion had plagued him for about two months, but the Archers were never given a definitive answer for his symptoms, just told to have him rest and take ibuprophen — until then.

When the doctor told them Alex was suffering from lymphoblastic leukemia, they were stunned — and devastated.

But the initial shock and horror of the situation, instead became a new focus for the Archers — beginning the treatments Alex needed and trying to balance their busy lives to accommodate the drastic change in their lives. Fortunately for the Archers, Alex responded to the treatment and went into remission during the initial six-week round of chemotherapy but will continue treatments until about April — barring any additional setbacks.

At the time of the diagnosis, Karen had just returned to her dental practice in Leamington after having her third child, son Eric, now two.

She said her husband had taken parental leave from his job with the Greater Essex County District School Board — so, he handled the lion's share of appointments with Alex.

And as a mother, still nursing her infant, Karen tried to maintain some normalcy for her baby, and, then five-year-old Sara.

She said they were lucky her in-laws made the five-hour trip on several occasions to help out at home.

Through all of this, Karen said she has come to realize how fortunate they are to have good jobs that include medical coverage and some level of flexibility — and how important a support system is.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.