Heaton’s ninth wedding anniversary was unforgettable, but not in a way he hoped.

The back pain that had started a few weeks earlier when lifting a heavy bag of mulch had escalated to the point of agony. Despite the celebratory day, his husband insisted they get this checked out.

Heaton assumed he’d pulled a muscle. The doctors at his local emergency department wasn’t so optimistic. He rushed him to Hamilton General Hospital for an emergency MRI. The scan revealed a spine riddled with lesions. Doctors sent Heaton for an urgent consultation at Juravinski Cancer Centre.

Emergency Intervention

Heaton went directly from his initial consultation to the radiation suite.

Within days he had his first consultation with Dr. Hira Mian, a hematology oncologist. She soon determined that Heaton had multiple myeloma, a rare type of blood cancer. As one of Canada’s leading multiple myeloma researchers, Dr. Mian knew it needed to be treated immediately and aggressively. If all went well, the best intervention would be a stem cell transplant.

Fortunately for Heaton, he was in the right place. Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre is a world leader in stem cell transplants and one of only three Ontario hospitals offering all forms of adult stem cell transplants.

Transplant and Recovery

Dr. Mian put Heaton on an intensive 20-week course of chemotherapy in preparation for the transplant. Eventually, the chemo reduced the tumours enough to schedule a stem cell transplant.

“The process itself is grueling,” says Heaton, remembering the initial weeks post-transplant. But over the course of the next six weeks, Heaton went from feeling the worst he had ever felt in his life to quite normal.

Ongoing Support and Commitment

Heaton’s cancer is currently being suppressed by a daily drug regimen. He is closely monitored by Dr. Mian and her team at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. Multiple Myeloma is a highly recurrent cancer. Heaton describes the current state of his cancer journey as an intermission rather than remission – relapse is almost inevitable. When this drug regimen stops working – whether that’s in two years or 15 – Heaton will need a new treatment regimen. His journey with Juravinksi Hospital and Cancer Centre is far from over.

“I’m in a life-long relationship with the team at [the Cancer Centre],” says Heaton. “They’re keeping me alive and will always be part of my life, and that’s beautiful.”

For his part, Heaton is fully committed to this long-term relationship.

“I strongly believe that charitable giving is your opportunity to say thanks,” he explains. “And if you’re dealing with cancer and have all these people helping you, you’ll want to say thanks, again and again.”

This holiday season, you can join Heaton in saying thanks by supporting world-class care at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. Donate today to support patients like him in their fight against cancer.