Chuck, Dr. Babak, and Chuck’s parents smiling and engaged in a hopeful discussion in the exam room following cancer treatment.

Cancer strengthens bond between mother and son

Grateful son shares his mother’s journey through cancer

A shocking diagnosis

What started out as a celebration quickly turned to calamity when Chuck Wong and his family finished their Moon Festival dinner last September. Chuck’s mom, Judy, first began experiencing what felt like heartburn or indigestion. When her symptoms progressed to her having difficulty breathing, they decided they needed to take her to Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH).

After a doctor in the Emergency Department listened to Judy’s lungs, ordered a chest x-ray, and CT scan, a decision was made to drain the fluid build up in her lungs and send it to the lab to biopsy. This biopsy confirmed what the doctor already suspected — at 73 years old, Judy had Stage 4 lung cancer.

Chuck recalls this day as the worst in his life. “I couldn’t believe it. My mom isn’t a smoker. She doesn’t fit the profile of someone at risk of getting lung cancer.”

The shocking news left Chuck feeling dark and wondering how much time he and his mom had left together. “I couldn’t shake the feeling that a horrible countdown had begun,” says Chuck.

Draining the fluid in her lungs gave Judy some relief and she was sent home, however, it didn’t last long. Only a day later the fluid had returned and Judy had to go back. She was admitted to MSH and spent the next six nights in the hospital. After receiving additional testing, including an MRI and another CT scan, her oncologist, Dr. Sam Babak, ordered a special blood biopsy to determine exactly the type of lung cancer they were dealing with.

Health care team goes the extra mile

Dr. Babak and his team at MSH worked quickly to gather information and put together the best plan to save Judy’s life. Surgery to remove the tumour was not an option and Judy didn’t want chemotherapy, leaving Chuck wondering if there was anything Dr. Babak could do to give them hope and more time together.

Then came some good news. A PET scan and MRI showed that the cancer was isolated to Judy’s lung. It hadn’t spread anywhere else. And even more importantly, the blood biopsy showed that Judy was a good candidate for a medication that specifically targeted her type of cancer. Dr. Babak even went the extra mile and walked with Chuck and Judy to the hospital pharmacy to pick up the prescription.

“That gesture of kindness meant so much to us, and says a lot about the amazing health care professionals who work at MSH. Dr. Babak is always there to answer our questions and explains everything in great detail,” says Chuck.

Chuck recalls the attentive care his mom received from the nurses while she was an inpatient – they even noticed when his mom was unwell and stopped drinking her coffee, bringing her hot water instead. She didn’t even have to ask. These things, according to Chuck, made such a difference.

They know that little things go a long way when you’re feeling scared and vulnerable

Chuck Wong

A place of hope

Six weeks after Judy started her medication, another CT scan revealed incredible results. Her tumour had shrunk from 17 to 10 millimeters and fluid was no longer building up in her lungs.

Today, Judy is 80 per cent back to her old self. She and her entire family remain so grateful to Dr. Babak and the staff at MSH for their compassion and expertise, and for giving them the precious gift of time.

“The people who work at MSH love what they do and it shows. Because of them, our hospital is a place of hope,” Chuck says. “Your donations make MSH the outstanding hospital it is today. You help provide the vital equipment and technology doctors like Dr. Babak need to diagnose cancer faster, start treatment and give patients their lives back.”

This Mother’s Day will be extra special for Chuck, Judy, and their family as they cherish every moment they have together even more. They encourage the community to continue to support our hospital so more families can experience positive outcomes the way they did.

In the words of Judy herself, “Giving to MSH is a form of love that will return to you many times over.”

Give today.