What started as a slight fever, sore throat, cough and some leg pain on March 22, quickly developed into something unimaginable for 11-year-old John Chen and his family.
Three nights later, after an initial visit to the local clinic resulted in an order for bed rest and some ibuprofen, John found himself surrounded by doctors at BC Children’s Hospital, soon to be diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis (or flesh-eating disease) caused by invasive Group A Streptococcus that attacked his tendons and skin.
It’s unclear how John contracted the bacteria, which has resulted in nearly two dozen surgeries that have left him without a right calf and left triceps muscles and limited muscle mass in his other limbs.
The Chen family is devastated, but nevertheless thankful John is alive and with all four limbs.
“It’s like a rollercoaster. The doctors did not know if he’s going to be alive or whether he will need amputations or whether his kidneys will come back or if he’ll be conscious when he comes out of sedation and if he will be thinking properly,” explained John’s father, Sam Chen, who remains by his son’s bed at Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children in Vancouver, where John is now in stable condition, but unable to walk.
By all accounts, John is an active kid. When asked to describe his character, Sam said his son is happy and kind, but also “very healthy, very sporty and athletic.”
Name a sport and John could be seen playing it. No video games here.
But now, years of rehabilitation lie ahead for John and there are no guarantees he will be able to perform routine tasks. The family is looking to the United States where there are trials for muscle implants. For that, they are fundraising, which should also help offset the costs of both parents not working, explained Sam.
The family, including John’s 14-year-old brother, came to Richmond from China in 2010, so they have no extended family here. Sam’s relied on his friend Harris and other work colleagues in the hotel industry to help raise money to keep their home, a townhouse near Terra Nova, running.
Sam said his son has shown tremendous bravery.
“He was brave. I was really amazed. He told me, ‘dad you are not brave enough,’” he said.
“Everytime he’s awake he’s always asking the question, when he can come home. But doctors don’t know how long he’ll stay. Maybe soon he can come home for a visit, but he cannot climb stairs to his room,” said Sam.
John is also wanting to see his friends, but not while he is in the hospital.
“He needs to learn how to stand and walk. It will be a challenge but we believe he will,” said Chen.
The crippling necrotizing fasciitis kills about one in four people infected with it, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.
The Chens have reached deep within their souls to find faith in John’s healing.
Helpful have been visits from the family’s church community.
John’s grandparents in China are saddened by the news, but also hold hope the family can “get back to life,” said Sam.
Meanwhile, 13 doctors remain on John’s case, to help with rehab.
“I’m so impressed by my son. He’s stronger than us. We don’t know how long it’s going to be,” said Sam.
To help the Chen family, donate online to GoFundMe.com/John-Chen-MedicalFund.
