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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, May 21, 2014 | 4 Family grateful community rallied behind son continued from p.1 "It's awesome. We're really happy for him and we're just glad it is over," she said. "Thank God, and all of our friends and family, who supported us right from the beginning." Matthew's illness initially presented like a bad case of flu. His concerned parents took him to clinics, but the health problems lingered. Finally, Sean and Bonnie took Matthew to their pediatrician, who said the illness sounded like mononucleosis and did blood tests to verify. The doctor called a short time later with advice for Bonnie and Sean to take Matthew to McMaster Children's hospital in Hamilton for further testing. It was there that specialists diagnosed Matthew with leukemia on April 20. "It's a huge shock. Your son, he's two years of age and he's got cancer," said Sean. "He was immediately admitted into hospital for six weeks, It was a really intensive treatment for the first six weeks...The last 15 months it has been every week that we go in for chemo." Sean said his son also had to endure frequent blood tests and bone density tests. At one point, Sean and Bonnie had to inject Matthew with blood thinners day and night to combat a clot in his heart. They said Matthew coped with all the needles he received by pretending to give his toy rabbit a shot at the same time. While his chemotherapy may have ended, Sean said Matthew will still need to have his blood tested every month for the next six months. The frequency of the tests will eventually taper off, but doctors will monitor Matthew for life to ensure cancer does not return. Matthew's celebration party, which was organized by Ward 1 Town Councillor Ralph Robinson and the Bronte Fire Station, featured a bouncy castle, refreshments and a fire truck, which proved very popular with Matthew, an avid Mighty Machines fan. Despite rain, parents, teachers and children from Matthew's Kindergarten class at Eastview Public School gathered around the fire truck to speak with the firefighters and see demonstrations of some of their lifesaving equipment. With their son's illness now behind them, Sean and Bonnie said they plan to enjoy summer with Matthew and his siblings Erin, 7, and Shannon, 4. Sean said he is deeply thankful to the doctors who treated his son, the community, and church that supported his family throughout the ordeal. "The congregation has been exceptional. They have been so encouraging," he said. "There are people praying for Matthew all over the world. It has been overwhelming." | Oakville Beaver file photo | photo by Graham Paine Matthew Foster, a big fan of firefighters and Buzz Lightyear, was two when he began his battle against leukemia. Last week, he celebrated the end of a two-year regime of chemotherapy and even rain could not dampen the joy of his parents and the community that has supported Matthew and his family throughout. That support included the Oakville Fire Department. IT DIDN'T ON OURS. MENTAL HEALTH WEEK ENDED ON THE ANNUAL CALENDAR. United Way Oakville invests $1.5 million in mental health support programs and services throughout the year. Learn more at: www.uwoakville.org