A birthday to remember for Simcoe boy undergoing chemo

Logan Good loves Spider-Man. But his mother, along with a Norfolk police officer and thousands of new friends across the country, think the brave nine-year-old from Simcoe is the real superhero.

When COVID-19 closed Logan's school in March, he'd already been home for two months, only leaving the house to visit his dad and go for chemotherapy treatment at McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton.

Already separated from his friends and going through a rough time, Logan's mother Candice wanted to make her son's ninth birthday last month special. So she reached out to OPP Const. Ed Sanchuk, inviting Norfolk's community relations officer to join a birthday parade" for Logan, who wants to be a police officer one day.

Sanchuk visited with Logan and delivered some presents from the force. He also tweeted a birthday message to Logan, and the internet responded with thousands of likes, retweets, and messages of encouragement from first responders and well-wishers throughout Canada.

It was really cool. I'm really happy that he would be able to come over," Logan said. I would say thank you for all of the love and happy birthday wishes. And I really appreciate it."

For his part, Sanchuk says he was just happy to help put a smile on Logan's face.

My main focus with this was to bring some joy to this little boy's life and to make him smile, and I think the mission was accomplished," Sanchuk said. It was an honour and a privilege for me to be a part of his special day."

Before his tumours were discovered, Logan had been unusually sluggish, Candice said. Then the family spotted brown patches on his skin. Finally, Logan's left eye turned in toward his nose, prompting a visit to the emergency room in January.

They learned that the brown patches are called cafe-au-lait spots," a telltale sign of a condition known as Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Doctors quickly ordered a CT scan and an MRI.

We found out that he has two brain tumours that are caused by NF1. He's had it his whole life and we didn't know," Candice said.

While not a major cancer risk, the tumours put pressure on Logan's brain and optic nerve, which has caused him to lose the vision in his left eye.

He was scheduled for surgery the next day. There is now a tube under his skin that drains excess fluid from his brain to his stomach. The surgeons also took a biopsy of the tumours and, in a separate procedure, installed a port in his chest for chemotherapy.

Every Wednesday, Logan and Candice wake up at 6 a.m. to make the trip to Hamilton for chemo. There can be tears en route, but once Logan gets to the hospital, he finds his courage.

He's been really brave when he goes for his treatment. He talks with the nurses," Candice said. He never complains about having to go. Still has a cheery disposition. Even though it makes him tired, he's still trying to live his life."

Logan watches videos and plays music on his iPad during chemo.

That distracts me so I don't look at the needle poking into the port," he said.

If the tumours are kept in check, Logan's doctors expect him to live a full and long life.

They can't remove (the tumours), so they want to make it so they don't get any bigger," said Candice, who's noticed that her son's hair is thinning.

At home, Logan tries to keep up with his school work when he has the energy. He misses going out for recess with his friends, and his favourite subjects.

Definitely art," he said. I usually colour a lot."

Looking ahead, he says he wants to become a first responder one day.

I want to help all the people. All the homeless people, I give money to them so they can buy a house," he said.

I think that police officers are really cool," added Logan, who like many a youngster thinks police cars and sirens are pretty cool, too.

Sanchuk has been back since to check up on his new friend and drop off some more gifts. On his latest visit, he learned that the tumours in Logan's brain were getting smaller.

That was the best news that I think I've had all year," said Sanchuk, who called Logan an inspiration."

This little boy's going through a lot in his life right now, and for him to have a smile on his face, it brought joy to my heart. And being a dad, it choked me up. He's a valued member of Norfolk County and I hope he becomes a police officer one day."

Logan said he looked forward to growing up big and strong" and getting back to doing what he loves.

Definitely going outside more. Helping mom, cleaning up stuff. And exercising," he said.

Sanchuk's visit and the unexpected birthday wishes provided a fun moment for the family during an otherwise stressful time, Candice said.

Logan said that was the best day," she said. It's going to be so good for him to have good memories from a time like this."

J.P. Antonacci's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows him to report on stories about the regions of Haldimand and Norfolk.