Vivi Quesnel is a Star

 Vivi Quesnel endured two years of chemotherapy when she was first diagnosed with leukemia at the age of two. She and her family were recently told the cancer has returned and Vivi, now 7, must undergo another 24 months of treatments. The family has faced financial and emotional strain, but they manage to make it through each day by "looking for the humour" says Vivi's dad, Kris.

Finding the humour in pain is the essence to survival

By Brandy Ford

After a strong debate about the characters of the movie Frozen, Vivienne Quesnel smiles and says Elsa is her favourite. And in the world of Spongebob, Patrick Starfish is the best.

“My favourite is Patrick the starfish because he is so silly,” she says.

Patrick has become more than a television character for Vivi. He has become a source of lightness and humour in a world full of pain and uncertainty. By immersing herself in the world of Spongebob Squarepants, Vivi can sometimes distract herself from the painful chemotherapy treatments she must endure at the hospital.

“In treatment I kind of don’t like it. I don’t like it because it’s just horrible. But the only think I do like there is the tv because they play all the new Spongebob (episodes).”

Spongebob Squarepants and his side-kick, Patrick (shown in this stock photo)
 have become a source of distraction for Vivi during her frequent hospital visits.

Vivi was first diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia four years ago and had two years of daily chemotherapy treatments. She was cancer free for nearly two years, but the family discovered the cancer had returned this year just before Vivi’s seventh birthday.

Once again she faces 24 months of hospital visits, needles, operating room visits and an isolation no child deserves.

Yet, despite the lemons being thrown constantly at Vivi, she, and her family, are dedicated to focussing on the lemonade that they can transform the lemons into.

“We have to find the humour in everything,” explains Vivi’s dad, Kris. “We have to use humour to survive. It is the only way we can cope. We have to be able to find some humour to break the tension.”

Just this week the family discovered the heat had gone out in their vehicle, but they say they have no choice but to grin and laugh about it.

“Vivi can not miss an appointment at all. There is no rescheduling. Whether there is a blizzard or wind storm or sheets of ice on the road, she has to get to Hamilton. It’s hard to do in a falling apart vehicle,” says Kris.

“There are some weird noises and the heat gave out too,” laughs Vivi’s mom, Jennifer.

“We’ve driven 100,000 km in the vehicle in last 4 years just going to and from the hospital in Hamilton. It’s so beaten up. Parts are hanging off of it.”

Although they laugh as they talk about their vehicle needing to be repaired, they point out that fixing it is not a priority right now as they struggle to manage other financial difficulties.

Jennifer left her job so she could be Vivi’s around-the-clock caretaker, so the family is keeping afloat on Kris’s income; although he often misses work to attend appointments with Vivi.

There is a myriad of expenses associated with Vivi’s care, including medications and necessities not covered by insurance; yet there are also the daily living expenses, utilities and bills that any family faces which need to be paid. These expenses add stress and anxiety to an already stressful situation, and family friend, Patricia Burgoyne decided she wanted to help.

Burgoyne was the leading force behind a fundraising held at Rice Road Community Church on December 1. Although final numbers about how much money was raised is not official, Burgoyne says there will be enough to help the family with about one month of expenses. 

Besides the shock of the cancer diagnosis and the financial strain for the family, there are worries about isolation (Vivi is currently being home-schooled because her immune system is too fragile to be around other people most days), mental health and trying to be available for the needs of Vivi’s thirteen-year-old sister, Julia.

Kris says Julia had to grow up quickly and, although they do not want it to happen, Julia’s needs often come second to looking after Vivi.

“She is the best sister. She had to grow-up fast unfortunately. This is not what we wanted for her either. This is not a normal childhood.”

He also praises his wife for the devoted care she provides for Vivi.

“Vivi requires care every thirty minutes or every fifteen minutes sometimes. Jennifer is strong and never leaves her. And that can be hard because that means she is isolated as well.”

Jennifer holds back tears as she tries to explain the guilt she feels as a parent watching her daughter go through “horrible pain” with treatments in order to live; and she can barely speak as she explains the guilt is amplified knowing that she, as Vivi’s caretaker, is often the one having to administer Vivi’s treatments.

“Words can not describe the pain Vivi has gone through with her body” says Kris.

Vivi, sensing her parents’ sadness, starts cracking some jokes and soon the room is full of laughter again.

“I feel safe with my family and always want to be there with them. I love Mommy and what she does for me. I miss my daddy when he is not with me. And I love Julia too.”

Kris says he is grateful for the fundraiser and that their survival comes down to “will, support from friends and family, and the kindness of strangers.”

Those wishing to contact the family may do so through Burgoyne’s emailburgoyne107@bell.net