Haley Matheson was scared. She was 15 years old December of 2016 when she thought she had strep throat, but her symptoms kept getting worse.
She was losing vison in her left eye. She was fainting. Purple spots were developing on her legs.
The medication she was given did nothing Haley said.
“I basically felt dead.”
Haley’s mother, Marion McPhee called their family doctor immediately.
“He took her in that day.”
After he looked at her symptoms he told the family it could be leukemia, McPhee said.
They were at the emergency room in 20 minutes, within two hours Haley was given a blood transfusion. It was the beginning of a long battle for Haley’s health.
Doctors discovered she had aplastic anemia, a rare disease that causes deficiency in all three blood cell types.
It meant her best chance at survival was a bone marrow transplant. Neither of Haley’s parents were a match, but her 11-year-old brother Reece Matheson stepped up. He flew to Toronto’s SickKids hospital where his sister was.
“It was 100 per cent his decision,” said McPhee.
Haley and Reece were a match. Before the surgery Haley was told she couldn’t see her brother, but she didn’t take no for an answer.
“I am seeing my brother,” Haley told doctors, and she did before her surgery.
“Were not close like we hang out, we are close because we love each other.”
Haley was off Island for six months, she spent time at the SickKids Hospital in Toronto before they moved to Ronald MacDonald House, then she went to Halifax to stay close to the IWK for a few months.
Now, the at 17, Haley is planning to get away on her own terms.
The P.E.I. chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation is fulfilling Haley’s wish. She didn’t ask to travel to another continent or meet a celebrity, instead Haley asked for a camper.
“I can go to the campground and spend time with family and friends who have campers. It will be fun,” Haley said.
Haley will be presented with the camping trailer in front of friends, family, Children’s Wish staff and supporters, as well as the HMCS Charlottetown team of sailors participating in the cross Island relay race “Run for Wishes” in support of Children’s Wish. The presentation will take place today (Thursday, July 19) at 3:15 p.m. in the Sobeys parking lot in Stratford.
Haley only went camping for the first time this past month when she visited her cousins at Marco Polo land
“That’s what ultimately made me really want a camper. I like it in there, it is really relaxing.”
Haley has a wish she can use over and over again she said.
“I hate bugs. I just can’t enjoy my time. So, it is actually like a little house and I can still enjoy camping at the same time.”
It is nice when you are camping to go to sleep in a bed Haley said.
When she first got home it was constant trips to the hospital. Any virus Haley got was potentially life threatening.
However, her health has been doing well for the past little while, Haley hasn’t caught anything in months.
She is going into grade 12 at Bluefield High School and excited she got a job for the summer at Robins Donuts.
“I’m excited (to work) it is a very big milestone for me.”
She is sore when she gets home after a day’s work, “But I am doing it,” Haley said.
She isn’t fear free yet, she knows her deficiency could affect her life in the future.
“The scariest thing is it could come back when I am 30,” she said, but she has a plan.
Haley will just call up her brother Reece and ask, “What are you doing?”
Children’s Wish Foundation presents a wish
Date: Thursday, July 19
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Where: Stratford Sobeys parking lot
