For Mother㽶Ƶֱs Day, Langley㽶Ƶֱs Alisha Openshaw isn㽶Ƶֱt expecting too much.
㽶ƵֱI don㽶Ƶֱt have any plans for Mother㽶Ƶֱs Day, maybe just get a well-deserved sleep-in and spend the day being spoiled by my boys,㽶Ƶֱ she said.
Twins Weston and Bennett are four, not quite old enough to make mom breakfast by themselves, but old enough to deliver it.
㽶ƵֱIf my husband helps, they would likely be able to bring it up to me,㽶Ƶֱ Alisha said.
It would be a rare day of rest for Alisha, who estimates she averages at least three days a week on the road, driving her sons in from their Langley home for cancer treatments at B.C. Children㽶Ƶֱs Hospital (BCCH) in Vancouver, a route so familiar and automatic that she can arrive without remembering any of the turns along the way.
Her boys were both diagnosed with the same type of cancer, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, within a few months of each other, in 2022.
Since then, 㽶Ƶֱit㽶Ƶֱs a whole new world,㽶Ƶֱ she commented, one of doctors, nurses and specialists, of chemo and other medical procedures, and sometimes long stays in the hospital,
Weston, who was the first brother to be diagnosed, has had a 㽶Ƶֱreally rough go,㽶Ƶֱ that included a six week stay in hospital that ended just in time for Christmas, Alisha advised.
Currently, both Weston and Bennett are doing well, 㽶Ƶֱother than them both being bald now,㽶Ƶֱ but their hair is growing back, and the twins are becoming their usual rambunctious selves.
㽶ƵֱThey㽶Ƶֱre both wild boys,㽶Ƶֱ she laughed.
READ ALSO:
A video of their hospital visits, provided to the Langley Advance Times, showed the brothers happily rampaging through the hallways at BCCH with a toy wagon, showing they know where the switch is to open automatic doors, and the route to the outdoor play area.
㽶ƵֱThey㽶Ƶֱre very familiar with the hospitals and the treatments,㽶Ƶֱ Alisha commented.
㽶ƵֱThey㽶Ƶֱll be playing house, and [they will pretend] 㽶Ƶֱyou have to take your medicine㽶Ƶֱ.㽶Ƶֱ
The Mickey Mouse-loving twins enjoy playing with their older brother and cuddling with their 㽶ƵֱNana㽶Ƶֱ 㽶Ƶֱ grandma and spending time with their 㽶ƵֱAuntie,㽶Ƶֱ Alisha㽶Ƶֱs sister.
Alisha has also found support from what she described as a community of moms in similar situations.
㽶ƵֱWe call ourselves the 㽶Ƶֱmomcologists,㽶Ƶֱ Alisha said.
READ ALSO:
Alisha is telling her family㽶Ƶֱs story to support BCCH, which is the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to the care of children and youth.
Donor funding, through the B.C. Children㽶Ƶֱs Hospital Foundation, goes to providing medical equipment, help fund leading pediatric research and clinical care, and enhancing facilities, programs and initiatives.
The current campaign theme is 㽶Ƶֱjoin the mighty㽶Ƶֱ 㽶Ƶֱ donate to help mighty mothers and mighty children.
㽶ƵֱIt has been a difficult journey at times, and I haven㽶Ƶֱt always felt very strong, but I have had to remain mighty,㽶Ƶֱ Alisha commented.
㽶ƵֱStaying mighty for my boys is knowing exactly when they need a big hug, or when to crack a silly smile. Mighty is telling myself it㽶Ƶֱs okay to walk away and have a long, hard cry. Mighty is knowing when to ask for help. As a mom, this is how I need to show up 㽶Ƶֱ staying mighty when things get tough.㽶Ƶֱ
Contributions can be made at .
Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on and follow us on .