An Oregon family has been thrust into an unimaginable battle after a mother and her young son were both diagnosed with cancer within a devastating 24-hour period.
A Double Blow: Two Diagnoses in One Day
Britney McRae and her four-year-old son, Jamon, had their world turned upside down when they each received a separate cancer diagnosis on the same day. The ordeal began when Jamon started suffering from severe headaches, prompting his parents, Britney and Jake McRae, to rush him to an emergency room in Medford, southern Oregon.
Doctors discovered a brain tumour, and Jamon underwent an intense 15-hour procedure in an attempt to remove it. His aunt, Chantal McRae, revealed that what was initially believed to be a benign cyst was, in fact, an aggressively malignant tumour known as an Ependymoma.
"They were unable to remove all of the tumour in the first surgery, and doctors said that it was probably the hardest surgery that they had ever done," Chantal told ABC 4.
In a cruel twist of fate, on that very same day, Britney’s oncologist delivered her own devastating news. She was diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia, a rare condition involving tumours that develop in the uterus following an abnormal pregnancy.
The Fight for Recovery and a Hopeful Christmas
Britney had experienced an eight-week molar pregnancy, which occurs when fertilisation happens incorrectly, leading to tumour growth. In her case, these tumours had become cancerous, requiring immediate chemotherapy treatment.
Reflecting on the dual diagnoses, Chantal said, "It was pretty surreal." Amid the turmoil, the family managed to find a moment of joy. Between Jamon’s first and second surgeries, they went home to decorate for Christmas, a season the four-year-old adores.
Jamon’s second surgery was more successful, resulting in the removal of 99 percent of his tumour. The remaining one percent was attached to his brainstem, where removal risked causing irreparable damage. The young boy has since had a follow-up surgery, which temporarily caused him to lose control of his right eye, leading to double vision.
"He was saying, 'Hi two daddies' or 'Hi two TVs'," Chantal shared, adding that doctors expect these symptoms to eventually subside.
Community Support and the Road Ahead
Both mother and son are now courageously facing their treatment regimens. Britney’s condition is treatable, and she has already begun chemotherapy. Jamon, however, faces at least six weeks of radiation, with chemotherapy a potential next step.
The financial strain of medical expenses and travel between their Medford home and the Primary Children’s Hospital in Stanford, California, where Jamon is being treated, is significant. To help, Britney’s brother, Zachary Flores, started a GoFundMe campaign.
The fundraiser had raised an incredible over $87,000 as of Monday afternoon, a testament to the outpouring of support. "We’re so appreciative of the massive amount of support that we’ve received from the community," Chantal said. "It really shows the humanity, that the world is still a pretty good place, even though there’s some pretty awful things that are happening."
With Christmas on the horizon, the family clings to hope. "We’re still very hopeful. The odds aren’t completely against Jamon, so we’re still rooting for him," Chantal affirmed. "We’re hopeful that we’ll have a good outcome ultimately for him." Their greatest wish is for Jamon to be home in time to celebrate his favourite time of the year.
