Miracle Story Max

On a seemingly regular March morning in 2023, three-year-old  known as “Mighty Max”, from Creighton, SK.,  embarked on what should have been an ordinary day. Little did his family know, their lives were about to be turned upside down by an unimaginable nightmare.

For several weeks, Max had been feeling unwell, which originally seemed like a typical bug from daycare until symptoms worsened. 

“When he wasn’t getting better, (was) losing weight and sleeping for 20 hours a day we just had a feeling it was something more. You just hold onto hope that it’s nothing (but the results were a) parent’s worst nightmare and one that a person hears about but never thinks will happen to them,” said Nicole, Max’s mom. 

Bloodwork revealed Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia (MPAL) that required immediate medical attention. Max was critically ill and needed to be transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) in Saskatoon.

“Though over a year has passed since that day, those moments are forever etched into our minds – every detail. How could our little two-year-old boy be this sick? As we cried that little sweetheart looked at me and said ‘mommy don’t cry,’ said Nicole recalling the innocence and bravery only a child could have.

The PICU transport team’s arrival brought a wave of relief. Their professionalism and skill reassured the family that Max was in capable hands. Upon reaching Saskatoon, the PICU team at JPCH immediately sprang into action, confirming to Nicole that her little boy was where he needed to be.

Max’s stay in the PICU lasted five intense days, after which he was moved to the general pediatric ward. This initial hospitalization spanned six weeks, marking the beginning of a long and arduous journey. Over the next year, Max endured numerous hospital admissions. 

Despite the hardships, their family found comfort in the exceptional care provided by the medical teams at JPCH. 

“I do not think people in Saskatchewan realize how truly lucky we are to have JPCH in our province. I mean those that have had sick children and those that work there know; but the general population. I hope they know. This hospital and all the staff that work there saved and continue to save my son’s life. It’s not only the big things they do like curing cancer, stabilizing him when he is really sick or taking his pain away.” 

“It’s also the little things like the staff taking five extra minutes to play with him when they haven’t had a break all day or making him smile when he hasn’t smiled in a day and bringing him toys, and treats to music therapy. I could go on and on. They have thought of everything to try and make our hospital stay a little bit brighter,” said Nicole.

After spending 11 months living in Saskatoon while receiving treatment at JPCH, Mighty Max began maintenance treatment and returned home, traveling to JPCH every four weeks for intravenous treatment and every three months to receive intrathecal. Maintenance treatment was planned to end in June 2026. 

Unfortunately, Max relapsed this past August and is currently admitted at JPCH. Through it all, he has remained the happiest little boy with a sweet smile and infectious laugh, ready to give a fist pump or high five on his toughest days!

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