Jade Rhymer’s family thankful for donations and community support
Jade Rhymer is a smiley 11-month-old who loves to share with others.
Jade can be seen singing along to her favourite song, “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker. Her love for music has made her a dance machine, even though she can barely walk.
Her easygoing nature makes it hard to find her in a bad mood; she always laughs and plays. This smart and curious girl has another thing that makes her unique.
Jade was diagnosed with stage four hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer that affects children ages three and under. Jade’s doctors at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax found a large mass in her liver. Hepatoblastoma rarely spreads. However, doctors identified two other masses located in her heart and lungs.
On the morning of May 11, Guy and Maxine Rhymer took Jade from Hartland to the nearby Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville. However, after receiving shocking news, they were rushed to the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax.
“I thought we were going to get medicine and take her home,” said Jade’s mother, Maxine.
Jade’s parents started noticing something was wrong when she began vomiting several times a day. Jade was dry-heaving the day of her appointment. Guy and Maxine immediately knew their baby’s condition was bad. They were shocked to find out what was wrong with their happy girl.
“I was devastated. We knew something was in her chest, but we didn’t know what it was until we got here,” said Maxine.
Cleveland Clinic says hepatoblastoma affects around one to two children in one million. It is primarily treated with chemotherapy and surgery.
Doctors occasionally use radiation therapy to remove cancer cells that surgery could not remove and ablation therapy when hepatoblastoma reappears.
Jade has been going through chemotherapy since arriving at the IWK. Her parents expect her to undergo surgery in mid-July at the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. Doctors plan to either remove the cancer in her liver or go through with a liver transplant.
Maxine describes not being able to care for her baby herself as one of the hardest parts of Jade’s illness.
“She’s a baby, and she’s sick, and she can’t tell us where things hurt and what’s wrong. It’s hard when she’s in pain, and you can’t help her,” said Maxine.
Being far from home has also been a struggle for the Rhymers. But they are incredibly grateful to all who are helping them. Many family, friends, and neighbours have been taking care of their pets and mowing their lawn.
The Rhymers have been in Halifax by Jade’s side since the Mother’s Day weekend scare. They expect Jade to remain in the hospital for three to six months.
Guy and Maxine’s friend Erin Seifarth has started a GoFundMe to help the Rhymers financially during this difficult time.
“I knew her parents were staying with her, and that meant work wasn’t going to be an option while they were both there. But bills tend to pile up whether you’re in a crisis or not,” said Seifarth.
The GoFundMe goal is $10,000; as of July 3, it had raised $4,025.
A benefit dance to raise more money for the Rhymers will be held on July 13 at the Woodstock Elk’s Club on Connell Street in Woodstock.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. There will also be a 50/50 draw with a prize of a basket of liquor.
Vail’s Bottle Exchange, 522 Mian Street, Woodstock, is taking cash donations. Guy and Maxine also accept money through e-transfer at maxine_rhymer@outlook.com.
The grateful Rhymer family get emotional when witnessing the generous support they receive from so many people.
“It means a lot. It means we won’t have to worry about expenses while we’re here,” said Maxine.
