Teen suffering from cancer

More than a year ago, 15-year-old Tajay Jones was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of cancer which starts in the bone.

But he did not receive adequate treatment from the onset. Now he has a massive, painful growth on his knee, and the disease has advanced to stage four, meaning it is rapidly spreading to other parts of his body. The only solution is to amputate the leg and start chemotherapy.

“Doctor said it is a 50-50 chance that he will live. Only God knows how hard it is. I cry every day,” Jones’ mother, Dorothy Francis told THE STAR. At the time Jones was diagnosed, he was living with his father and stepmother in Clarendon. But last month when his condition worsened, Jones’ father returned him to his mother who lives in Murray Mount, a rural community in St Ann.

Nerves problem

“Them only used to call me and tell me that him sick, and sometime them ask for money to go doctor but them neva tell me how serious him is. When I see the condition of my child, it break my heart so much.  It is so terrible,” a tearful Francis explained. “Doctors say he has low blood count, infection on his stomach, short term memory, nerves problem and he has a lot of complaints with the cancer. He’s very weak.” The situation is difficult for Francis, who is nine months pregnant and a mother of eight. She is no longer able to continue her job as a domestic worker, and has not been able to contact Jones’ father since he dropped Jones off  with a lengthy medication list.

“Is eight medication on it. I don’t know how much they cost because I don’t have the money to buy them. A teacher volunteered and buy two of the medications to ease him pain,” Francis said. Jones is scheduled to journey from St Ann to visit doctors at the Cornwall Regional Hospital today, where they should do further tests on the growth. It is expected that amputation will be set for late November into December. However, Francis said she cannot even afford private transportation (at least $5,000), let alone the estimated $150,000 needed for the amputation. Despite the wrenching pain, the bedridden youngster still has big dreams.

“I can’t even explain how I’m feeling right now, but in the future I want to be a scientist who invents different things because technology is taking over the world,” Jones said. Those wishing to assist may contact Dorothy Francis at 1 876 406-8042.