Jura was just seven weeks old when doc told us he had rare cancer .. news was beyond devastating
Mum tells of shock diagnosis after finding lump changing tot’s nappy
Nicole added: “He had weekly chemo – then two weeks ago, on December 22, he had surgery to remove the tumour and he’s now on chemo every three weeks for the next three months at least.
“We were in the hospital till Christmas Eve for his recovery. Then the day after Boxing Day he spiked a fever, meaning he had to go back to hospital to make sure he didn’t become dangerously ill.
“He also then had chemo about a week after surgery. So we ended up in hospital until New Year’s Eve.
“This was obviously not how we expected to spend our first Christmas with Jura. Especially since most of my family had flown out from New Jersey to be with us in Scotland. The hospital did everything to try and get us home.
“We’ve had a lot of support from organisations and charities through the hospital and they provided food for us so we didn’t have to worry about cooking for Christmas.
“The nurses and staff on the ward for children have helped the kids and Jura. They provided gifts for him and Santa was here to visit. We made the most of it.”
The mum-of-two has hailed hospital staff and revealed that little Jura, now four-monthsold, has become something of a hit on the wards with his cheeky personality.
Nicole said: “The staff are amazing. We have a full team behind us of nurses, dieticians, doctors and support workers that have been supporting us through this and providing Jura with the best care possible.
“We end up on the oncology ward a lot and the nurses just love Jura, he is a little celebrity. He’s a happy little soul, full of laughter and smiles for everyone. I can’t believe how much of a trooper he is.”
The veterinary surgeon, who is originally from New Jersey, and her husband, who is an IT Engineer, have been overwhelmed with support. Nicole’s mother travelled across the pond and has moved in to provide as much help as possible.
Jura’s battle has touched many, including Nicole’s colleagues at the PDSA Pet Hospital who have set up a Just Giving page called ‘Jura’s Army.’ The group plan to walk, run and cycle the distance between Glasgow and New Jersey, 3264 miles, this month to raise money for Glasgow Royal Hospital for Children.
Although the experience is the one thing every parent dreads, it has also made Nicole and Struan realise that in times of severe heartache and trauma there are always people there to provide support.
The mum said: “You never expect it to be you. You always say you don’t know how people cope with it but now we are the people having to cope with it and you do just get on and take it day by day.
“We have really sad days and really good days because he is still a baby that’s growing, smiling and getting his first teeth. However, it has also shown the good in people.
“My team stepped up to support us, people I haven’t talked to in years sending their thoughts and prayers for Jura over Facebook.
“It’s unbelievable that this baby, who is so new to the world, has had to go through more than some people go through in their whole lives. But it is amazing just how much his journey has brought people together”
For more details on Jura’s Army visit www. justgiving.com/team/Jurasjourney