An Okotoks teen's battle with cancer has been made more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tanner Swaby was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma in October 2018 at the age of 13, then in May last year following several rounds of chemotherapy he received good news that his cancer was in remission, but one year later the cancer has returned and is in parts of his neck and throughout his chest.

The family is stringent with following guidelines and social isolation protocols for COVID-19 as Tanner is at a higher risk for contracting the virus.

Janeth, Tanner's mother, says COVID-19 and the restrictions surrounding it have made the situation tougher on the family.

"It's been hard for him just because of the whole situation with not seeing his friends, not being able to go to school, and trying to have a normal life once again like he did the first time," she explains.

"I think it's been hard for everybody the second time. I thought it would be easier just because we know what we're going to go through, but with this pandemic it makes things more difficult because of the scare of something we could get because he's at a really high risk."

Tanner will undergo stronger chemotherapy, a PET scan, and radiation. (Photo Courtesy: Janeth Swaby)

Despite social distancing measures and extra precautions, Janeth says her son is keeping his spirits high and the family strong through maintaining a light personality.

Tanner is about to begin round two of chemo which will be followed by a PET scan and further treatment.

Janeth says there's currently no set schedule for the rest of his treatment due to precautions and procedures in hospitals from the pandemic.

"After that, he has another two rounds of chemotherapy which will be stronger than the one he's receiving right now and he will go for two rounds of radiation as well, which we still don't have the whole schedule for all those things because the doctors are going day-by-day because of the circumstances with what's going on right now. It makes it really hard that we don't exactly have a plan with the days and everything so we don't know how long it's going to last."

Tanner will also take medication that is not covered by Alberta Health.

Janeth adds while these treatments will be tougher on his system, there is a light at the end of the tunnel as doctors have said this is something Tanner is going to overcome.

The family is grateful for the support and kindness from the community which has been shown through gifts left on their doorstep, monetary donations, and prayer.

For more information and to learn how to support Tanner's battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, click here.

 

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