For 9 years, Jiry’s mom Bridget had searched and searched to find some a doctor to help her daughter. Bridget says, “She wasn’t growing, wasn’t gaining weight, tired often, cold, headaches, sore body, on and on. But no Doctor could tell me what’s wrong. They diagnosed her with many bizarre things tho but nothing was helping her.”
Until May 4, 2015 when Jiry had an MRI which revealed a rare brain tumor. She had surgery, and a month in the icu due to all the complications – and a lot of health issues due to the wrath of the tumor. On her first radiation treatment, her family walked into the waiting room up to the receptionist. We noticed all the people in the waiting room were looking sad, worried etc. That night Jiry and her mom decided they were going to have a happy time there. They came up with different themes for each day. This gave Jiry something to look forward to! The staff and the other patients also looked forward to seeing what they looked like next. Jiry and her mom Bridget were very happy to have made a positive impact on people in such a small way!
The themes were: Monday was pajama day. Tuesday was tattoo day, Wednesday hat and glasses day, Thursday dress up fancy and Friday was silly socks! Every time she has checkups they still do this! Jiry made some great friends while doing her treatments and is now doing chemo.
Bridget says, “In 2008 I was in a terrible car accident which someone rear ended me while I was stopped, waiting to turn to pick Jiry up at daycare. The people that caused the accident was going about 70, they hit me so hard it pushed me into oncoming traffic which was a semi. Semi ran over my car and me and my car caught fire. I spent the next 6 months in a hospital, couldn’t walk or talk. Being a single parent with no close family, Jiry was allowed to be with me. She was my nurse. She held my hand, got me dressed, she was my voice . Up until her tumor was found she was also my memory. She made sure I didn’t forget groceries, appts, etc. When her tumor was found all I worried about was how the heck can I care for her as well as she has taken care of me? I can’t fail her! Well, the past 2 years has been a blur with all the appts and trying to make sure she is enjoying life the best she can. School is definitely a huge struggle and stressor but she goes anyways. She has an old soul. So many people have always been impressed with her from a very young age. She has always been more mature than others . The chemo now is making her finger tips and toe tips numb from a slight change in temp so she has to wear gloves etc. Her bus mates and classmates give her looks, but she doesn’t let it bother her to much.”
WE NEGU FOR YOU JIRY!!! STAY STRONG!!!