Troy Shantz
The Nadeau family says it’s grateful for an outpouring of support that’s allowed them to spend precious time with Lucien.
The five-year-old Sarnia boy underwent 10 hours of surgery in London on Dec. 12, when doctors removed a grapefruit-sized tumour from his brain.
“People care. People only want the best for other people and when something like this happens, they want to help.” said Stephan Nadeau, Lucien’s dad.
Initial reports following the surgery were positive but doctors later confirmed the tumour was cancerous.
The family is spending much of its time in London with Lucien where he is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
“There truly is no amount of words that can show how grateful I am for Sarnia’s support. They’re amazing. I couldn’t be here in London doing what I’m doing without their help,” Nadeau said.
On Dec. 9, doctors at Children’s Hospital in London discovered a tumour in Lucien’s brain. Joeleen Degurse, a close friend, organized an online GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $31,000.
Nadeau said his union, Local 663 has also helped the family financially.
Following the surgery close friends and family organized a limousine to bring Lucien back home. The limo stopped by Lucien’s school, École élémentaire Les Rapides, where students and faculty lined the fence to greet him.
One of his friends, Nathan, put Lucien’s name on his hockey stick prior to a game the day of the surgery, and he and others used orange hockey tape, Lucien’s favourite colour.
The trend caught on, and numerous minor hockey teams as well as the Sarnia Legionnaires and Sarnia Sting have used the bright hockey tape in a show of solidarity.
And Lucien dropped the puck at the Jan. 13 Sting home game, and was set to do so again Saturday.
Nadeau said friends and family have helped with the commutes to London and ensured they had a Christmas tree and even cleaned the home.
“It’s been surreal,” he said. “It blows me away that people will put their life on hold to do anything.”
Lucien has been handling the cancer treatments well, his dad said.
“He’s pretty much the same boy as before surgery,” he said. “He’s a pretty brave little boy.”
A fundraising pasta dinner has been organized at the Dante Club on March 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Donations can be made directly at www.gofundme.com/luv4lucien.