ONE of Ballarat’s bravest little battlers, Jaxon Cooper, has been moved into palliative care.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After a short stay at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Jaxon was moved across to Very Special Kids Hospice in Melbourne on Sunday.
The Ballarat boy, 11, has continued to fight for his life since he was diagnosed with an inoperable brainstem tumour last year.
In the last year, Jaxon has defied all the odds stacked against him, filling the hearts of everyone he has touched along the way.
His campaign to raise awareness of the disease and make a difference has gained national attention.
Following the devastating diagnosis, Jaxon made it his mission to prove he can complete a bucket list of activities, including pushing to find a cure.
In his life to date, Jaxon has achieved more than many could in their lifetime.
Already ticked off the list is meeting the Prime Minister to lobby for brain cancer research and flying to America with his family to watch his favourite team the New York Knicks, play in the flesh.
But Jaxon’s mother, Jodie Cooper, said the illness was taking its toll on him and the tumour has progressed aggressively.
He now has limited speech and is confined to a wheelchair.
Jaxon has also lost the use of his left arm after enduring gruelling chemotherapy and radiation in a bid to halt the tumour’s growth.
“We knew this day would come but in the back of our minds we were hoping it would be a long, way away,” Ms Cooper said.
Ms Cooper said the family are beside Jaxon every step of the way.
“The staff here are absolutely beautiful,” she said. “One of the musical therapists is working with him daily and playing music to him which he loves.”
Each day is filled with lots of cuddles and special moments between Jaxon, Ms Cooper, his dad Rob and siblings Logan, Grace and Tyson and his dog Max.
Ms Copper said his room at hospice has been converted into his very own “man cave.”
It is filled with New York Knicks photos and special sign on the door welcoming people into “Jaxon’s Man Cave.”
“He continues to blow us away with his courage,” Ms Cooper said.
To follow Jaxon’s journey, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Jaxons-journey/365014586970179