It’s a double shock for Fiona and Jean-Daniel. In January, their son, Marcel, 4, was diagnosed with leukemia. In an already difficult ordeal, they learn, during an exchange with a doctor, that he cannot leave the hospital to return home, to their house in Fay-les-Étangs (Oise), in Vexin. .
“We have lived for five years in an old building, with a lot of humidity, without insulation in certain rooms,” explains Fiona. With chemotherapy, Marcel became immunocompromised and more susceptible to certain infections, such as those caused by mold spores. » To protect their son and clean up their house, the couple must face heavy renovation work. To cover these unforeseen expenses, they decided to launch a fundraiser.
A network of solidarity has been woven around the family. “When people heard our story, many came to help us,” smiles Fiona. An electrician friend offered to take care of our house for free. » To start the work as quickly as possible, the couple was able to board a van kindly lent by a neighbor to transport equipment. For their part, some residents financed the placo for Marcel’s room.
“He can’t wait to come back”
But the task promises to be arduous. “Everything has to be done again and the bills are adding up. For example, for the veranda which is very dilapidated, the estimate amounts to 18,000 euros,” explains Fiona. And this is just one example among many. “Mold covers the walls and attacks some furniture. » The couple had already committed to a 20-year loan for this house, which represented “the project of a lifetime”.
The work could cost “several tens of thousands of euros. » Without resources, the solution of the kitty was imposed. “We had to prove our son’s situation with medical documentation and for us to be able to spend the money, we will have to prove with invoices that we are using it for the work,” reassures the mother.
If Marcel’s release is scheduled for February 19, his parents do not know if they will have been able to complete the necessary arrangements in time. “We may have to negotiate with the hospital for him to stay there again but he can’t wait to come home, he feels depressed,” sighs Fiona. We take turns being with him every evening, but the hospital is more than an hour away. »