Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Nov 18/05) - It's been nearly seven months since young Geronimoe Constant was diagnosed with leukemia.

After intensive chemotherapy treatments in Edmonton and Yellowknife, he returned home in late September and is considered to be in remission, his mom, Cheryl Lafferty-Mackenzie, said.

Geronimoe Constant is back at home in Fort Providence but he's still receiving chemotherapy treatments to battle leukemia. He turned three years old last month. - photo courtesy of Jennifer Singerling

"He's doing good... He's better off here. As he's been home he's been happier," she said. "The harsh stuff is over... the longer he's in remission the less chance of a relapse."

The affable little boy, who turned three in October, had lymphoblastic leukemia, a curable form of cancer that damages white blood cells.

Although things are looking up, there are still anxious moments. Geronimoe, nauseous and fighting a high fever, was medevaced to Yellowknife last month. It turned out he was OK, but the ordeal threw a scare into his mom. High fever remains one of the greatest concerns.

"That's the one main thing because it could take over his body," she said.

As a precautionary measure, he still takes chemotherapy drugs. The powerful pills and serum compromise Geronimoe's immune system and affect his internal organs like his bladder, she noted. It also saps his strength. Lafferty-Mackenzie had enroled him in preschool but had to withdraw him because his stamina was lacking.

"He gets really tired off the chemo," she said, noting that she feels badly about having to regularly administer doses but knows she must follow the doctors' advice.

"When he's not on the chemo he is full of energy," she said. "Other than that he's doing great. He's happy, he's growing, he's getting big, he's smart. He's Geronimoe."

Every three months the three-year-old has to make brief trips to Edmonton for more advanced treatment. The arduous process will have to continue for another two-and-a-half years, Lafferty-Mackenzie said. On the upside, if there is no recurrence of the cancer, Geronimoe will avoid a painful bone-marrow transplant.

The financial strain brought on by the little boy's medical condition has been eased by generous donations from Fort Providence community members and people elsewhere.

"I'm really thankful for them," his mom said.