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Finn was born in June of 2005, one minute after his brother Baird and less than three years after his sister Sarah. From early days Finn was a sweet, rambunctious, serious, active boy. He came by his love of speed, running, jumping, dancing and singing at an early age and those loves helped him keep his head up and chin forward through some very difficult times.
In February 2007, at about 20 months, Finn was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. By the time the tumour was discovered, it was grapefruit-sized. Finn’s medical journey began. A year of chemotherapy. Over 70 anesthetics. Numerous surgeries, big and small. Removal of the tumour. The pee bag. The colostomy came later. Unblocking and stenting blocked ureters. Two months in Boston. Thirty radiation treatments. Specialized treatment in Spokane.
There were definite peaks and valleys but through it all Finn kept speeding, running, jumping, dancing and singing, smiling and loving. Head up and chin forward.
On October 9, 2008, cancer took Finn’s life but it would never take his spirit.
In the way that he lived, while he lived, Finn taught us a lot. He taught us the importance of the moment and the importance of living. He taught us the importance of running, jumping , bouncing, dancing, singing, loving, smiling and riding. Finn wasn’t given the opportunity of a long life, but he took every opportunity he could to live.
Finn’s story is about a boy who loved to live despite the rest. A boy who ran, jumped, bounced, danced, sang, smiled and loved every chance he got.
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Finn's Family
Finn was blessed with an incredibly supportive family environment. Two parents who adored him. A twin and best friend Baird, and a big sister and role model Sarah.
When Finn was diagnosed at the age of 21 months, everything was as normal as could be expected in a household with a four year old daughter and two 21 month olds. Laughter, frustration, camaraderie and hijinks were the order of the day.
A lot of things changed when Finn was diagnosed, but family didn’t.
Baird and Finn continued to be best friends. They just switched the playgrounds a little bit. Clinic appointments meant a play at the clinic. Overnight hospital stays meant zooming around the hospital in cars. Finn was a lot of things during that time, but mostly he was just a kid being a kid. Baird helped Finn do that. Changed the abnormal into the normal.
Sarah continued to show Finn the way. Sitting with him in hospital beds. Learning about his disease; traveling to Boston. Sarah’s natural infectious energy rubbed off on Finn. She shaved her head for Finn; Finn shaved his head for Sarah. Sarah danced, so Finn did too.
And family didn’t stop at our home. During that time, the thing that made things easier for us was family. Grandma and Grandpa on a plane. Gampy and Diane there whenever we needed them. Sisters, brothers, and cousins dropping everything to help any way they could.
And family didn’t stop with blood. We lived in that time on the backs of our friends. Friends who became our family. Friends who supported us and carried us through the good times and the bad. Friends who listened and sometimes even didn’t.
And even in the grief of a loss of that depth, family remains at the centre. Because ultimately, and always, Team Finn is a family. A family that sings together and smiles together. A family that laughs and cries.
A community in pink. A family of people who have been touched by an angel.
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