Since our teenage years we've seen each other around and spoken here and there. He's been a substitute teacher at Blue Willow once or twice when I was there. When we started going to Cookstown Ward, he and his family did too. Matt was actually in the bishopbric. I got to know his sweet wife Emma, and we all got to know Gordon and Ally. Gordon was in Ken's primary class in 2013 - CTR 7.
Ally was born January 5, 2012. She was born with Down Syndrome to parents that weren't able to care for her. Matthew and Emma had been looking to adopt for quite a few years as they were unable to have any more children after Gordon. I remember Emma telling me about going to meet Ally and just knowing that she was meant to be theirs. I remember shedding a few Mommy tears while we were chatting. She told me that she often had to remind herself that she hadn't given birth to Ally.
I copied this from the Facebook group "Love for Allyson". Allyson Sherlock is a two and a half old girl with Down Syndrome. In August of 2013, she was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia- (smouldering leukaemia). After six rounds of chemotherapy in April 2014 it was determined that Allyson had beaten her illness and was in full remission. Two months later she had relapsed into full blown Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Since the relapse, Allyson has completed two additional rounds of chemotherapy, and tomorrow (October 6th, 2014) she will enter The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for a bone marrow transplant procedure. Our hope is that Allyson will overcome this illness while informing others about paediatric cancers. This is a place to follow Allyson's journey as she receives her bone marrow transplant.
They knew something wasn't right for a few months before the official diagnosis. I remember how brave Matt and Emma were when they didn't know what was going on. I also remember how optimistic they were. Ally had so many things going for her. She was being treated in the best place possible, by the best people possible, and because she had Down Syndrome, she had an edge.
We talked about Ally and Gordon and their family lots with our girls. Ally was in our prayers all the time. Kate ran for Ally in the Terry Fox walk at school, first in 2013.
And then again in 2014.
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She did really well with her treatment the first time. She did really well with her bone marrow transplant. Things were looking great. She went into the hospital for her bone marrow in October of this past year having already done two rounds of chemo in the fall. She was supposed to be in isolation until December, but she defied all the odds. She and Gordon were reunited November 2nd, and she was discharged to Ronald McDonald house to be with her family on November 12.
She had some hiccups here and there, but from all of the reports given by her Dad it seemed that she was doing great. On Dec 5th they received word from their Doctor, that they wouldn't be home for Christmas, he wanted them close by the hospital still. December 12th, she was amazing the medical team, but there was concern about her weight. But then December 15th there was concern about her blood pressure and nutrition so Ally was admitted to the hospital. They all hoped it would be a short stay. I'm not sure if/when she was released after this, but she was in again getting an NG tube in her nose to ensure proper nutrition on December 30th. January 3rd she threw up and aspirated some of the fluids.
She made it through her 3rd birthday in hospital on January 5th, and she was able to enjoy time with her family. Emma posted a really cute video of Ally enjoying her musical card. There were also pictures of Ally with Gordon. And so many people posted Happy Birthday wishes for sweet Ally.
Early in the morning on January 6th, she was sent to the ICU. Her heart was in distress and there were indications of a lung infection. Later in the day on the 6th she was intubated. January 11th Ally was stable, but critical. January 17th there was more deterioration. January 18th stability - critical but stable. The 19th came with more testing and a diagnosis, a partially collapsed lung, a fungal infection and a heart that was under a lot of pressure. On the 20th, some peace, seeing small improvements and hoping for more.
Just before I went to bed on the 22nd (Ken's birthday of course) I read the following post in Love For Allyson: Our daughter Allyson Victoria Sherlock passed away moments ago in the arms of her mother and surrounded by love. We appreciate everyone's love and support, we will need some time to make arrangements.
And I was shocked and devastated, and shocked, and so, so, so sad. I knew she was really sick, but I thought she would get better. I really did. I cried and I cried. I tried to go to bed and I got up again and cried on Ken some more. At this point it was close to 2 a.m. and I needed to sleep. I ended up going to bed with my phone watching a show to distract me.
It was weird, Ken's birthday. I didn't want to tell the girls. I wanted Ken to have a happy birthday. All day I would go along doing stuff only to be reminded, and I'd tear up again. I kept thinking of Matt and Emma, and Gordon too, wondering how they were doing.
I waited until the next day to tell the girls. They were surprised but not sad. They were very matter of fact. They would see Ally again when she was resurrected so everything was okay. We talked a little bit about the fact that it would be a long time before Ally was resurrected, but that didn't really make sense to them.
On the 24th Matt posted details of the visitation and funeral. I wasn't sure what to do. I wanted to go, but to what, and with who?
Fast forward a week to Thursday, January 29th. Ken had to work onsite in Mississauga. I took the three girls to see Sacha and Cohen for lunch in Barrie, and then we went to the funeral. The girls were a little difficult, but I was so glad that I went. It was such a beautiful service.
I went back and forth about going so many times. I'm never sure what people will think about bringing small children to a funeral. The girls okay during the funeral. They didn't quite make it through the whole service, but I was able to get the hope that I needed. I was able to hug Matt and hug Emma. I was able to hear uplifting messages about their sweet girl.
Matt's father gave the eulogy and it was so lovely. He called Ally a thief, because she stole everyone's hearts. He also told a beautiful story that was kind of like a parable. He and his wife emigrated from Liverpool many years ago. They left on a ship and waved goodbye to the people on shore in England. Then they sailed away from view. Their family was sad to see them go. Then he spoke of sailing into harbour in Canada, and the excitement with which they were greeted. We can't see Ally now, but she has been greeted on a new shore with love and excitement.
Oh I just can't imagine losing a child. I hope it is a pain I never have to bear. I also hope that the friends I have that experience this loss, I hope that I can give a hug and offer them some tiny bit of peace and comfort. I hope to lessen their burden in some small way. I am so thankful for the plan of salvation. I'm so thankful that a Savior was provided to atone for our sins, so that through him we can be perfected and live again. I'm thankful for temples, and sealing power. I'm so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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