David bacame one of their first patients and was involved, along with his dad, in a press conference to promote the new program. A photo shoot was arranged for the morning of October 27th prior to his scheduled Stem Cell Rescue Transplant - we were happy and optimistic as things were proceeding on schedule. After the photos David went for a C.T. scan where it was discovered that the tumors were once again growing (see clinical history) and the transplant was cancelled.
Dr. Baruchel began a wilderness camping experience while he was in Quebec called "Sur la pointe des pieds" ( On the tip of your toes ). This expedition takes difficult remission cases on a quasi- outward bound experience that helps renew their body and spirit. It was David's wish to be on the first expedition that Dr. Baruchel ran from Sick Kids in the summer of '98. When a contest during the summer of '97 opened from the Canadian Peadiatric Society asking for drwings from children of their doctors, David entered this picture of Dr. B. We are grateful that we were able to get the original back after David's passing and we gave it to Dr. Baruchel. We think it's cute how David captured Dr. Baruchel's cheerful and caring manner.
It is our intention to make a contribution to the New Agent program each November 11th, David's Birthday, as our "present" to him in the hopes that fewer families will have to experience the loss we are going through.
This Christmas of '97 picture was developed over a year after it was taken. It surprised us because of the angel ornament over David's head. The ornament was a gift from his mom and dad the Christmas before. Coincidence or a reminder of where he is.
This picture of David was taken on May 31st, 1998, some 20 days before his passing. When we received a copy of it some 6 months later we were amazed to see how changed he had become before he died. We"knew" he was weakening, but part of us was blocked from really "seeing" it.
