When five-year-old Gunner had an issue with his bladder, his parents did not think much of it. When it happened again, they thought it was strange. But when it happened a third time…they knew something was wrong.
The issue set off a chain of events that started with a visit to the walk-in clinic, followed by an appointment with a pediatrician, and culminated in a visit to the emergency room.
“It transformed from constipation to a tumor – to potentially cancerous – all within a few hours,” said Whitney, Gunner’s mom.
Despite nothing out of the ordinary showing up on his urinalysis and x-ray, a CT scan confirmed it was a tumor, and a biopsy revealed the scary truth: rhabdomyosarcoma – a rare type of cancer – and a mass the size of a baseball in his lower stomach. And it was growing. Less than one week later, it was softball-sized and causing hydronephrosis – swelling of his kidney. The complications required a catheter, but it did not provide any relief; Gunner was in extreme pain.
“It was miserable,” Whitney said. “Gunner doesn’t cry, and he spent a lot of time crying those first few weeks. We all did.”
The original plan was chemotherapy, followed by surgery, and more chemotherapy. But the pediatric surgeon was not confident that the surgery would be successful, due to the size and complexity of the tumor. The new plan: chemotherapy, followed by proton beam radiation, and more chemotherapy. After discussing the pros and cons, Whitney said the choice was obvious: Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
“There were no cons with proton beam,” said Whitney. “Mayo Clinic is a leader in the treatment, and has a great reputation. It was the best decision for Gunner.”
But the correct path is rarely the easiest. The treatment plan was for 15 total cycles: chemotherapy—two days inpatient, two weeks outpatient—and proton beam radiation—Monday through Friday. And weekly meetings with multiple oncologists as well.
“Gunner is amazing,” Whitney said. “He hasn’t complained one time. I don’t know how he does it. He takes every negative, spins it for good, and finds the fun and joy.”
In addition to the excellent care Gunner has received at Mayo Clinic, Whitney said the Ronald McDonald House has completely changed their time in Rochester, for the good.
“The House was so much more than expected,” said Whitney.
The family did not have first-hand experience with a Ronald McDonald House; they knew it was a place to stay, but they didn’t expect everything else.
“We were surprised and amazed,” Whiney said. “It’s beautiful. Gunner thinks it’s the coolest place; he doesn’t want to leave.”
Whitney talked about “insane, but amazing bingo nights” and “everyone being in the same spot at the same time” for House Dinners – special moments for families. She also talked about the Fresh Food Co-Op and how that option makes it easier on complicated appointment schedules and treatment times.
“It lifts such a burden off of us,” said Whitney. “The idea of paying for a hotel for six weeks, while paying a mortgage back home, while being on unpaid leave…”
“It would have been impossible.”
Whitney also talked about the volunteers – how they are warm and welcoming, they know her son’s name, and work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the House a home.
“It’s what you expect, but it’s not always what you get,” Whitney said. “But you definitely get it at the Ronald McDonald House. They are so important.”
As long as everything goes according to plan, Gunner and his mom and dad will go home in late October, and continue his treatments closer to home.
“It took us a long time to get Gunner, and now we are working hard to keep him,” said Whitney. “And we wouldn’t still have him without the House and Mayo Clinic.”
