Speaking to CNA throughout a recent Zoom interview, Aaron’s mother opened about the family’s experience and shared the challenges they faced during that period.
“We didn’t really have time to cry or to process our emotions, ” said Ms Leow. “We just went straight to survival mode plus focused on the strategies of going for checkups and treatments. ”
“I was in the third trimester associated with my pregnancy with his baby sister therefore it was difficult for us because I wasn’t sure how to care for a cancer individual together with a newborn, ” said the 35-year-old.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Aaron’s dad accompanied him with the course of his treatment as only one assigned caretaker was permitted.
As a result, Ms Leow had to give birth to their girl Alexa without her husband by her side. Her child was also later identified as having Kawasaki disease yet has since retrieved.
“One from the things that got to me the most was that I usually wondered if Aaron had lymphoma and his youngest sister experienced Kawasaki disease and other respiratory issues due to something that I did or even didn’t do, ” she said, including that the guilt had haunted her a lot.
While the eight-year-old was rather timid and did not speak much during the job interview, he provided many light-hearted moments by pulling funny encounters while his mom spoke or blending in with funny puns.
“When (Aaron) was undergoing chemotherapy, because the medicines affected his hunger a lot, it made him very nauseous… and affected his tastebuds, ” said Ms Leow.
“Taste butts! ” quipped Aaron, compelling both mother plus son to burst into peals associated with laughter.
In order to encourage him to eat more and maintain his weight, Ms Leow would often let him know jokes to brighten him up plus distract him from your nausea.
It worked and, with her surprise, her kid started coming up with their own jokes.
“They were a lot better than my own… mine were a bit lame, ” the lady said with a laugh.
“Throughout their treatment, he had been constantly telling humor. For him, it had been a very good distraction since it gave him some thing to focus on, ” the girl said. “It furthermore helped to brighten all of us up too. ”
Next to her, Aaron supports proudly as he holds up a gold trophy with two capturing stars.
“Mama, I got an award, but I don’t know what I won, ” he said, giggling.
Laughing, she tells him it turned out an award in the Children’s Cancer Basis for completing his treatment.
PROVIDING BACK
Aaron ended his therapy in July 2020 and has been in remission for two years.
However , his like for puns and jokes remains.
“I feel like he became more happy and happy-go-lucky right after his treatment, ” said Ms Leow. “Previously, he had difficulty because we used to live in the US so when we moved back to Singapore he had a significant hard time adjusting right here. ”
Whilst undergoing chemotherapy, Aaron also came up with a list of things he desired to do after finishing treatment. They include writing and submitting a book with his mother and siblings and also helping other kids with cancer.