Cormier latest recipient of Hero Award
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Jayden Cormier, of Presque Isle, is the latest recipient of The Cubby Fund’s Hero Award for $100.
Cormier, a 9-and-a-half-year-old entering the fourth grade this fall, was diagnosed with a vascular malformation in his right sinus early in 2013.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
JAYDEN CORMIER, 9, of Presque Isle, was the recent recipient of The Cubby Fund’s Hero Award of $100. Jayden is being treated for a vascular malformation affecting his right cheek and jaw. Pictured from left are: Tom Cormier, Jayden’s father; his sister, Paige; Jayden; his sister, Emma; and his mother, Carlene Cormier.
“The problem was initially found in August 2012 when Jayden went for a regular cleaning with his dentist, Dr. Desjardins. She found a purple lump behind his upper lip when cleaning his teeth. She got him an appointment with Dr. Ford, an oral surgeon in Presque Isle. But due to his work load, it was six months before Jayden’s appointment,” said Carlene Cormier, Jayden’s mother.
Carlene said once Dr. Ford saw her son he immediately sent them to see a specialist in Boston.
“That was February 2013. That’s when he was diagnosed with a vascular malformation in his right sinus. By April 2013 he had two surgeries,” she said.
According to information on the Johns Hopkins University website, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/vascular/conditions/malformations/, a vascular malformation is a general term that includes congenital vascular anomalies of only veins, only lymph vessels, both veins and lymph vessels, or both arteries and veins. They are present at birth and become apparent at different ages.
“The doctors told us Jayden was born with this. We take the kids every six months for their dental checkups; there were no signs anything was wrong until August 2012,” she said. “From April 2013 through July 2014, he’s undergone eight surgeries, with more expected, including two this September.”
Though he’s had several surgeries, the malformation continues to grow.
“In 2013 doctors kept taking pieces from the malformation but it keeps growing back,” she said.
The family had a scare in July when Jayden suffered a bout of uncontrollable bleeding.
“On July 6 Jayden woke up bleeding uncontrollably. We called 9-1-1 and he was flown to Boston. He bled three more times before they operated; he went through five units of blood that time, just to get back what he’d lost from bleeding,” said his mother.
Since then, Jayden’s had difficulty sleeping.
“I’m afraid I might bleed to death in my sleep,” said Jayden. “I’m scared to sleep.”
To help alleviate his fears, his parents installed a baby monitor in his room so they can hear if he needs help.
“It features both audio and visual monitoring. Cindy (Johnson, executive director of The Cubby Fund) bought him the monitor. He and his 5-year-old twin sisters, Paige and Emma, have fun watching each other on it. It’s helped relieve some of his fears,” she said. “He feels more comfortable knowing we can hear him and we can respond quicker if he needs us.”
September will see Jayden undergo his ninth and tenth surgeries.
“On Sept. 22 he’ll undergo an embolization procedure to stop the bleeding. Then on Sept. 23 doctors will operate, removing his four back teeth on the right side — that’s where he’s bleeding,” said Carlene. “To remove the vascular malformation they may have to remove part of his cheekbone and upper pallet, since it’s attached to both.”
Carlene said this may require Jayden to need reconstructive surgery, but that will be determined based on what’s done in September.
Life has changed for Jayden, who up until the diagnosis was a normal, active child.
“This limits his activities. He can’t run and play ball, swim, drink from a straw — simple things people do daily he can’t do,” said Carlene.
She said everything he used to do without thinking now has to be planned out.
“He has to think twice about every action,” she said.
“I can’t eat hard food. Everything has to be soft,” said Jayden.
“He can only eat on the left side of his mouth,” added Carlene.
Carlene said the $100 from The Cubby Fund will help with expenses.
“We make frequent trips to Boston. This will definitely help,” she said.
A fund-raising spaghetti dinner was planned for Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Presque Isle Elks Lodge.
“We want to thank Cindy at The Cubby for helping us out; my employer, the Northeastland Hotel, for being so understanding when I have to take time off for Jayden; everyone who donated to the auction — items for the auction, food and volunteers; and also the Elks Lodge,” said Carlene.
Johnson said a family friend made her aware of Jayden’s case.
“Chauncy O’Connell is a friend of Jayden’s. He and his mom, Aimee, wanted to see good stuff happen for his friend and nominated Jayden for the Hero Award,” said Johnson.
An online account has been set up for those wishing to donate to help Jayden and his family.
“We have a Go Fund Me account: www.gofundme.com/czz57g. The fund is to help with expenses related to Jayden’s treatment,” said Carlene.
The goal of the account has been set at raising $1,500, with $425 of that raised as of Aug. 29.
“We’d like to thank everyone who’s helped or offered kind words. We’re hoping the September surgeries will resolve Jayden’s medical issues but only time will tell,” said Carlene.
