Helping Cody Conquer Cancer

My precious son, Cody Layton, is fighting a battle that no young adult should ever have to fight - the fight against cancer.

Cody is a 26 year old young man, who’s the life and soul of every party! He’s a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, partner and friend to many. We’ve always called him an old soul, even as a child….

He’s fun to be around, has a great sense of humour and can ad lib any line from any movie. He’s active in hockey, softball and enjoys playing video games with his younger brothers and friends. Definitely a character and as charming as they come!

A few months ago he started having some health issues and his abdomen started to swell. He lacked energy, was constipated and just felt unwell. He went to the doctor and was told, take some laxatives and eat more fibre. He tried this but his health rapidly started to deteriorate. The bloating in his stomach was now affecting his breathing as it was pushing on his diaphragm.

He eventually found a doctor at a walk in clinic, who was concerned enough to know something wasn’t right. He examined Cody and immediately sent him for an x-ray and bloodwork. He also sent him for an ultrasound the next day. His blood work showed that his kidneys were inflamed and his Creatinine levels were extremely high! The ultrasound results showed very inflamed, kidneys, free fluid in his abdomen and some inconsistencies in his pelvic area. His doctor immediately requested an urgent CT scan. He had to wait 6 days for his CT scan and then was told, his doctor would receive the results in 5-7 days.

The following day, October 13th, I picked him up and took him to have more blood work done and after seeing him shuffling along like an old man, looking so pale and having shortness of breath, I drove him straight to the hospital.

We went through the emergency department and were seen within the hour. The doctor asked lots of questions and we told her we were waiting on CT results from yesterday. She phoned upstairs and she came back within 10 minutes and held Cody’s hand, with tears in her eyes and told my boy that she was so sorry but his abdomen was full of cancer!!!

As a mother, my world stopped turning and I was completely numb. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing!? I thought, this can’t be happening, there must be some mistake…

6 weeks before he was playing softball and working out at the gym 4 days a week.

They told us the tumour in his pelvis measured 8x11x24cm and there were multiple tumours throughout his abdomen! The surgeons said it is inoperable at present, due to it’s size.

He was admitted to the hospital that evening and spent a week there. His abdomen was drained the next day and they removed 3 litres of fluid. He had bilateral nephrostomy tubes and stents inserted into his kidneys as he had severe hydronephrosis and hydroureter (swelling of both kidneys and ureter due to build up of urine, from the tumour pressing on them). They also took a biopsy of the tumour to send for pathology.

They monitored him and kept him hydrated and made sure all his blood levels were back in their normal range.

5 days later we had preliminary results from the pathologist and were told Cody had a very RARE small round cell sarcoma! They were waiting on the molecular results to determine what sub type he had.

Oct 31, 2022 was Cody’s first oncology appointment and we were bombarded with so much information, our heads were spinning. They’re now treating him for a Desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT), which is a type of sarcoma that forms in the connective tissues of the body. Most often found in young white males between the ages of 10-30!!

Cody started his first round of chemotherapy on Nov 9, 2022. He was given 2 chemo drugs over 8hrs for 3 days in a row. His next cycle will be on Nov 30, 2022, where he will receive 3 chemo drugs over 8hrs for 1 day. These cycles will alternate for at least the next 8mths! What they’re trying to do is shrink the tumours enough, so a surgeon can go in and try to remove them. We have been told the surgery will be very invasive and he may have to continue with chemo and possibly radiation therapy post op.

He has many more tests and procedures ahead of him, including pet scans, ultrasounds, an ECG (to make sure his heart is healthy enough for the next round of chemo), weekly blood tests and he will also need his kidney stents replaced every 3 months!

Cody has a long road ahead, at least a year of treatment, if not more!?

I am so very proud of Cody. He’s taking all this like a Champ!

I’m not going to lie, he has more bad days than good right now but he will continue to fight with all his might!

We’ve started this Go Fund Me account to ease the financial burden.

Over the next days, weeks, months ahead he will need to be at countless doctor appointments, hospital stays and surgeries. As you can imagine the normal costs of every day living…. such as rent, food, gas, bills….. the medical costs can be astronomical.

Cody has no health benefits as he was only at his new job for a few months before he got his diagnosis. Cancer treatment is covered through AHS but all his other prescription drugs, like pain meds, anti nausea meds, steroids and his injections he has to take after each chemo cycle are above and beyond his and our budget…..

Having the financial burden taken off his shoulders, Cody can concentrate on getting well and fighting this wicked disease called cancer.

From the bottom of our hearts we humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family and if possible in giving (any amount will help).

We thank you for your support and God bless each and every one of you!!

Amanda Layton a.k.a. Mum ❤️