WATCH: JP rings bell for ‘kicking cancer’s butt’
JP Bruwer is now cancer-free and his family is looking forward to the future.
Following months of chemotherapy, little JP Bruwer is now cancer free and his family is looking forward to the future.
“I have no more bugs in my stomach,” said six-year-old JP Bruwer.
He has beaten cancer like a true superhero and is now cancer-free. A sonar and X-ray done at Netcare Alberton Hospital on September 26 indicated no sign of cancer.
The news was delivered by Dr Tanya Schiekerling, a paediatric oncologist, and JP celebrated it by ringing the cancer treatment bell.
Not only for the parents but also for the rest of us, it was a truly memorable and emotional experience.
Making the most of every day
Carla and Peetrus said, “No words can describe how we feel. This is just one of those moments in life when you can only thank Heavenly Father. This was a case of faith.”
While it has been a rough couple of months, they never lost hope. Our son has been cared for by God and his angels. One of them is a paediatric oncologist named Tanya Schiekerling.“
In addition to spending Christmas together this year, the family wants to make the most of everything they have.
“We won’t take anything for granted.“
JP is back to his old self again. He has all the energy he used to have and is full of life.”
As a mother, I can tell you that children are much stronger than we think. They may look tiny and may be dependent on us as parents, but they are fighters,” Carla said.
To others, she encourages them to have the faith of a child.
I had a lot of questions without answers, but my support system, the medical staff and God helped us to get through this. Will I ever understand why this happened and why my son had to endure this?
“The answer is no, but maybe in a few months or years we will know,” Carla said.
JP’s journey with cancer
Christmas 2021 is one the Bruwer family will never forget as it turned out very traumatic.
On December 20, 2021, this highly energetic boy, who enjoyed playing cricket and jumping on the trampoline, was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour, also known as nephroblastoma.
It is one of the most common kinds of paediatric kidney cancers. Wilms’ tumour is a common type of kidney cancer that mostly affects children aged five and under.
“Every night before we went to bed, JP started moaning about stomach aches. I took him to our family doctor, who checked him and suggested it could be constipation,” his mother Carla explained.
JP’s condition did not improve and the agony in his stomach became increasingly unbearable. His parents took him to their doctor, who ordered a series of tests and scans on him.
He went for a biopsy on December 15 and was diagnosed with cancer.
“Shortly after the initial diagnosis, JP suddenly collapsed and was unable to stand or walk.”
Following additional investigation, a second tumour was detected growing in his spine and the pressure from this tumour was paralysing him.
On December 23, JP had an emergency operation to remove the tumour from his spine.
“The operation went well, but JP was admitted to the ICU. My heart stopped for a second since I couldn’t stay with him like I could in the regular wards,” Carla explained.
He made a full recovery and was released on December 27.
“We had Christmas twice as a family so that JP could participate in all of the festivities. He was able to open his gifts when he returned home.
“He needed a wheelchair since he couldn’t walk, but on January 13, the most miraculous thing happened, JP began walking. There are no words to express how much this meant to everyone.”
For 28 weeks, the Springs family travelled to Alberton every week for his chemotherapy treatment.
“An angel has been sent to us. JP’s doctor, Dr Tanya Schiekerling, is a paediatric oncologist. She has been extremely helpful, caring, and supportive during this entire process. We couldn’t have found a better doctor,” Carla said.
“This sort of cancer is treatable and in most cases, it does not come back,” Carla added.
Dr Schiekerling still refers to JP as a superhero, which his family believes is an apt description of their son.
Thank you to our angels
“Thank you to Dr Schiekerling and staff for guiding us through this process. I also want to thank Netcare Alberton Hospital and the pediatric ward for making the process as smooth as possible.”
Throughout the journey, the Bruwers would also like to thank Cupcakes of Hope for their support.
“Thank you to every family member, friend, and stranger for their prayers and donations.”
Peetrus and Carla concluded by expressing gratitude from the bottom of their hearts.
