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The Citizen, 2019-04-04, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019.THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019. PAGE 11. D. C. Craig Excavating • Excavating • Bulldozing • Septic Systems • Drainage • Snowplowing 519-523-4966 “GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SERVICE” 519-524-9878 37117 Blyth Rd., Goderich, ON For all your vehicle and repair needs BRUSSELS 38 King Street, Brussels Open 7 days a week 519-887-9740 Safe, Dependable Trucking Service • Livestock • Bulk Brussels, Ontario 519-887-6122 1-800-667-8399 401 Albert Street, Box 340 Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 Phone: 519-887-6336 Fax: 519-887-6438 www.riversidefuneralhome.ca Todd Wheeler Insurance Inc. AGENT: TODD WHEELER 75 Sports Dr., Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 twheeler@mckillopmutual.com OFFICE: 519-357-0155 • FAX: 226-889-8944 Certified General Accountant • Personal & Corporate Tax •Accounting & Bookkeeping •Agricultural Services Seaforth ~ 519-527-1331 Email: wightman@bellnet.ca Brian E. Wightman Brussels 519-887-6273 • Crop Inputs • Crop Consulting • Crop Protection Products • Seed • Custom Application Brussels Agromart Ltd. www.brusselsagromart.ca Jacquie Gowing Accounting Accounting, Income Tax & Business Management Personal, Farm, Business & Corporate • Monthly Bookkeeping Services • Electronic Tax Filing jgowing623@gmail.com 519-887-9248 Brussels Lions Club The tradition of service continues... Clinton Chapel Blyth Chapel 519-482-9521 Christopher M. Smith Mark R. Rushton Amanda Rich Falconer FUNERAL HOMES Gas Station and Express Mart 39977 Blyth Rd., Blyth 519-523-9090 Open 6 am to 10 pm 41 Third St. Vanastra 519-482-7869 IF BUSY CALL 519-482-5816 www.dndglass.ca Professional Sales • Service • Installation Engineers and Environmental Consultants 1-800-265-9662 www.rjburnside.com Josephine Street Wingham Shopping Plaza WINGHAM 519-357-9990 Blyth Road, BLYTH 519-523-9990 Owners/Operators Jenny & Bill McGrath Jr. Dr L McCarthy • Dr K Alton • Dr S Doorn 9 Patrick Street West, Box 88, Wingham, ON N0G 2W0 Tel : 519-357-1282 • Fax: 519-357-4509 email: reception@winghamoptometry. com Brown’s Pharmasave 198 Josephine St., Wingham 519-357-1629 Free Delivery Service Available Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am - 6 pm Saturday 9 am - 4 pm Senior’s Day Every Tuesday and Thursday Seniors 55+ receive 15% off all regular priced items* It’s easy to transfer your prescriptions to us! Christine’s Clothes Closet & Intimately Yours 208 Josephine St., Wingham Spring Fashion Show April 23 For tickets call 519-357-1051 Proceeds to Wingham & District Hospital Oncology Department Dave Franken CONCRETE FORMING For All Your Concrete Needs! COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL • Foundations • Floor Finishing • Circular Tanks • Sandwich Walls FREE ESTIMATES RR#3 Blyth ~ Fax 519-523-9604 519-523-9971 By Shawn Loughlin - The Citizen As The Citizen takes this week to shine a light on cancer awareness, including those who help fight it and those who have triumphed in the face of its challenges, it is now just over 11 years ago that Mikayla Ansley of Blyth was diagnosed with retinoblastoma before even her first birthday. Over the last decade, Mikayla has grown into an intelligent, accomplished and cherished member of the Blyth community. But, in late 2007 she was just six months old when her mother Katie initially became concerned, thinking that her and her husband Mike’s infant daughter might have a lazy eye. At Mikayla’s six-month checkup, the Ansleys were turned away by local doctors, assuring them it was nothing to worry about and that muscle structures often take time coming around for some babies. The condition persisted at Mikayla’s nine-month checkup and, this time, the doctors sent the Ansleys to a pediatric optometrist to alleviate their concerns. Living in the Waterloo area at the time, the Ansleys headed to the local pediatric optometrist, who was at the University of Waterloo. Mike took Mikayla to the appointment, which would eventually result in a panicked visit to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. Mike says Mikayla was being examined by a young medical student at the university, when she excused herself to consult with one of her professors. They knew right away that Mikayla’s eye looked to show signs of retinoblastoma and that she needed to see a specialist as soon as possible. Mike and Mikayla left for Toronto, picking up Katie along the way. They were escorted past a full waiting room and, after a short examination, a stream of professionals greeted the Ansleys, signalling to them that something was very wrong with their first daughter. The hospital gave the Ansleys a day to digest the information, but called them back in later that week so Mikayla could begin chemotherapy almost immediately. What followed was well over a year of difficult treatments, many of which were touch-and-go for a period of time. When Mikayla was first diagnosed, the doctors told her parents that they didn’t yet know if the cancer had spread to Mikayla’s brain. In short, they said, they didn’t yet know if they were able to save Mikayla’s life. When the Ansleys returned to the hospital, the doctors began administering a battery of tests. Most importantly, they tested her kidneys. At just under a year old, testing Mikayla’s kidneys would tell doctors whether she was strong enough to take chemotherapy at her young age. They determined she was and they began treating her. Out of necessity, Mikayla was soon potty-trained at a very young age. Because the toxins associated with chemotherapy are expelled through the urine, Mikayla would severely burn herself if she used a diaper while undergoing chemotherapy. Mikayla was soon spending most of her time at the hospital. Seeing as Katie had only been back from maternity leave for two weeks when Mikayla was diagnosed, she had to take a leave of absence to be with her daughter full-time. Mike continued to work, but cut his hours back to part-time to be there for his family. As a result, a number of organizations, businesses and citizens came together to support the Ansleys during this time. Both Mike’s and Katie’s workplaces were very supportive during this time, with some of Mike’s associates even fundraising for a trip to Florida for the family during this time. The Blyth Lions Club also held a tremendously successful fundraiser, resulting in nearly $40,000 for the family. After months of treatment, surgery and doctor visits, the Ansleys found themselves at their lowest point when they were told that Mikayla’s left eye would have to be removed, despite the extensive efforts to save it. While it was actually Mikayla’s right eye that was first cause for concern with her mother, it was the tumours in the left eye that left doctors with no choice but to remove it. The Ansleys felt defeated when they heard the news, but knew it was for the best. After Mikayla’s eye was removed, the doctors were able to fight back the cancer in her right eye and save it. While she has limited vision in her right eye and Mikayla is now legally blind, the doctors were able to save 519-482-3997 www.centralhuron.com 36 King Street, Brussels 519-887-6521 www.cibc.com Hours: Monday - Friday 9:30 - 5:00 pm AA PP RR II LL II SS CC AA NN CC EE RR AA WWAA RR EE NN EE SS SS MM OO NN TT HH LET'S MAKE CANCER HISTORYLET'S MAKE CANCER HISTORY Howson & Howson Ltd. Blyth 519-523-4241 Flour Mill Join in the Fight against Cancer The Citizen 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 A long journey to here The Ansley family has faced more than its fair share of challenges, beginning when Mike and Katie’s first daughter, Mikayla, seen here when she was just a baby, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma before her first birthday. Mikayla would go on to endure over a year’s worth of treatments and has been on the operating table 55 times. However, she is now in remission and living a happy and productive life of international renown, as she was just named the winner of the Lions Clubs International Peace Essay competition. She is seen above with her parents and with her cousin Braydon on the right in the hospital on the day her left eye would eventually be removed. (Photos submitted) Continued on page 12