Mrs. Keller, Trevor’s mom

2004 Interview

Treasure Chest Foundation

Mrs. Keller

Trevor

TCF

Hi Trevor. My name is Mrs. Kisel and I am the founder of the Treasure Chest Foundation. I know that you were diagnosed with cancer. Can you tell me about that experience?

K

Trevor was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. It started out as shoulder pain. The doctors finally did an x-ray and noticed a mass. Trevor has been through one year of treatment and he has one year to go.

TCF

Cancer is a big word. How old were you when your Mom and Dad told you that you had cancer?

T

Ten

TCF

I understand that you had to stay overnight at the hospital. What was that like?

T

Boring, I would sleep, play video games and watch TV.

TCF

How often would Trevor visit the outpatient clinic?

K

At first it was once a week, but now we are down to every three weeks.

TCF

Can you tell me about the Treasure Chest in the clinic?

T

It makes me happy. It makes me look forward
to a toy. It makes me get the stuff off my mind. It makes me think about what I am going to get.

TCF

What is one of the best toys you ever received?

T

Binoculars and a bunch of small toys.

TCF

Have you gone to the cabinet full of big toys that the Treasure Chest Foundation provides?

T

Every three weeks I go to the cabinet because
I get shots in both of my legs. If I get blood drawn and a check-up I go to the treasure box.

K

I do believe that if he did not have the Treasure Chest, he would be a nervous wreck every time we went to the clinic. It really saves him every time to have his mind focused on the Treasure Chest or cabinet. He gets a little nauseous
before he goes to the clinic, but I know for a
fact he would be miserable without the Treasure Chest. Trevor never takes it for granted and sometimes he picks out a toy for his sister. He’s
a sweetheart.

TCF

What is the worst part of the treatment?

Getting shots.

T

K

On numerous occasions Trevor has had to endure two shots, one in each leg, and it is very painful.

TCF

Did anyone shave their head?

T

My dad did.

K

Our neighbor did, the boy next door did, Kevin did, Jason did, Jerrit did, Joe did… He had a lot of people shaving their heads.

TCF

What would you say to a little boy or girl who just found out they had cancer?

T

That is it going to be O.K.

TCF

My son’s cancer changed my life forever. Do
you feel this experience has changed you?

K

It has changed my son so much. The saddest thing is that it made Trevor grow up too fast. He’s not a child anymore… well he is. He has gone through more than we will ever go
through. I am so proud of my son. He is unique and very special.

2004 Interview

Mrs. Keller, Trevor’s mom

Treasure Chest Foundation

Mrs. Keller

Trevor

TCF

Hi Trevor. My name is Mrs. Kisel and I am the founder of the Treasure Chest Foundation. I know that you were diagnosed with cancer. Can you tell me about that experience?

K

Trevor was diagnosed with
T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. It started out as shoulder pain. The doctors finally did an x-ray and noticed a mass. Trevor has been through one year of treatment and he has one year to go.

TCF

Cancer is a big word. How old were you when your Mom and Dad told you that you had cancer?

T

Ten

TCF

I understand that you had to stay overnight at the hospital. What was that like?

T

Boring, I would sleep, play video games and watch TV.

TCF

How often would Trevor visit the outpatient clinic?

K

At first it was once a week, but now we are down to every three weeks.

TCF

Can you tell me about the Treasure Chest in the clinic?

T

It makes me happy. It makes me look forward to a toy. It makes me get the stuff off my mind. It makes me think about what I am going to get.

TCF

What is one of the best toys you ever received?

T

Binoculars and a bunch of small toys.

TCF

Have you gone to the cabinet full of big toys that the Treasure Chest Foundation provides?

T

Every three weeks I go to the cabinet because I get shots in both of my legs. If I get blood drawn and a check-up I go to the treasure box.

K

I do believe that if he did not have the Treasure Chest, he would be a nervous wreck every time we went to the clinic. It really saves him every time to have his mind focused on the Treasure Chest or cabinet. He gets a little nauseous before he goes to
the clinic, but I know for a fact he would be miserable without the Treasure Chest. Trevor never takes it for granted and sometimes he picks out a toy for his sister. He’s a
sweetheart.

TCF

What is the worst part of the treatment?

Getting shots.

T

K

On numerous occasions Trevor has had to endure two shots, one in each leg, and it is very painful.

TCF

Did anyone shave their head?

T

My dad did.

K

Our neighbor did, the boy
next door did, Kevin did, Jason did, Jerrit did, Joe did. . .He
had a lot of people shaving their heads.

TCF

What would you say to a little boy or girl who just found out they had cancer?

T

That is it going to be O.K.

TCF

My son’s cancer changed my life forever. Do you feel this experience has changed you?

K

It has changed my son so much. The saddest thing is
that it made Trevor grow up too fast. He’s not a child anymore. . .well he is. He has gone through more than we
will ever go through. I am so proud of my son. He is unique and very special.