The Pearson Family
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At ASCF, we have the honor and privilege of serving and accompanying families as they approach what is often the biggest challenge of their lives. Receiving news of a cancer diagnosis can be scary, especially when the diagnosis involves a child. Imagine hearing that news about both of your children. Such was the case with Matt Pearson and Parvathy Anantnarayan, parents to Charlotte and Vishwa . . .now cancer survivors. The past year and a half have been a roller coaster for this family of four.
In February 2019, Vishwa received the diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while he was visiting his grandparents in India. Another complication arose - Vishwa had a liter of fluid around his heart (a pericardial effusion). The medical staff, fearing that travel would be too much to bear, recommended that cancer treatment begin immediately in Bangalore. So, Parvathy took leave from her high school where she teaches and traveled to be with him and accompany him through his six-month regimen. Matt, also a teacher, joined them in June when his school finished its year. Vishwa’s treatment was successful and ended in August and he was able to return to his active life and catch up with school work, play basketball, and do all the normal things that teenagers do. But, then, nine months later, the cancer relapsed and the Pearson family would find themselves rallying around Vishwa as he set out on this journey once more.
Then, a few weeks later after receiving news about Vishwa, Charlotte would wake up with a swollen face and neck. What was thought to be an ear/nose/throat issue became a very different story... Primary Mediastinal B Cell Lymphoma. Cancer… that dreaded word… again. Charlotte had just graduated from college with a degree in neuroscience and had completed her first week at her new job. What was to be the start of her professional life would have to be put on hold for a bit.
On top of it all, there was COVID. This pandemic has added a very challenging element to individuals and families in the middle of treatment. Precautions have been taken to limit the number of individuals who can accompany the patient to one additional person. But, Charlotte has found some silver lining… “There are a lot of restrictions at the hospitals. But, because we both have cancer, we can take a parent each, so we are able to go as a family.”
Looking for help on their first visit to Houston’s Medical Center, the family found A Shelter for Cancer Families through MD Anderson. “I reached out thinking we were getting accommodations,” said Parvathy, “but all of my conversations with Monica have been so life-giving. Cancer is so isolating. People don’t get how grueling cancer treatment is and how much time it takes. Talking to her made me feel like she understood so many things about it. She was so supportive and loving. We feel really lucky to have found A Shelter for Cancer Families.” Matt added, “Everything was just so easy. Tiffany was so helpful getting us set up. We went to Houston at the height of COVID, so our doctors were very concerned about what we were doing. Knowing that we had two children with cancer, ASCF provided us two one-bedroom apartments next to each other, so our kids could rest as much as possible. And they took care of all our needs in a gracious, caring, and loving way. It felt like all we had to do was figure out where we wanted to buy groceries.”
“It’s healing,” Parvathy added. “There are so many uncertainties in our life right now, and that not being one – where will we stay? How will we navigate things? It feels like someone who has been there (fighting cancer) has thought through every detail. Like the little things…. the beds are REALLY nice beds, with GOOD bedding. It was such a comfortable sleep. It was so much like home and so thoughtfully done.”
On December 21, just in time for Christmas, Vishwa was cleared to go home following a stem cell transplant just in time for Christmas. He and Matt were reunited with Pavarthy and Charlotte as she has also completed her treatment. At ASCF, we pride ourselves on providing support, resources, and a “home away from home” to individuals and families as they traverse the new and uncertain terrain of the cancer journey. We are honored that the Anantnarayan-Pearson Family is a part of our ASCF family.
In February 2019, Vishwa received the diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while he was visiting his grandparents in India. Another complication arose - Vishwa had a liter of fluid around his heart (a pericardial effusion). The medical staff, fearing that travel would be too much to bear, recommended that cancer treatment begin immediately in Bangalore. So, Parvathy took leave from her high school where she teaches and traveled to be with him and accompany him through his six-month regimen. Matt, also a teacher, joined them in June when his school finished its year. Vishwa’s treatment was successful and ended in August and he was able to return to his active life and catch up with school work, play basketball, and do all the normal things that teenagers do. But, then, nine months later, the cancer relapsed and the Pearson family would find themselves rallying around Vishwa as he set out on this journey once more.
Then, a few weeks later after receiving news about Vishwa, Charlotte would wake up with a swollen face and neck. What was thought to be an ear/nose/throat issue became a very different story... Primary Mediastinal B Cell Lymphoma. Cancer… that dreaded word… again. Charlotte had just graduated from college with a degree in neuroscience and had completed her first week at her new job. What was to be the start of her professional life would have to be put on hold for a bit.
On top of it all, there was COVID. This pandemic has added a very challenging element to individuals and families in the middle of treatment. Precautions have been taken to limit the number of individuals who can accompany the patient to one additional person. But, Charlotte has found some silver lining… “There are a lot of restrictions at the hospitals. But, because we both have cancer, we can take a parent each, so we are able to go as a family.”
Looking for help on their first visit to Houston’s Medical Center, the family found A Shelter for Cancer Families through MD Anderson. “I reached out thinking we were getting accommodations,” said Parvathy, “but all of my conversations with Monica have been so life-giving. Cancer is so isolating. People don’t get how grueling cancer treatment is and how much time it takes. Talking to her made me feel like she understood so many things about it. She was so supportive and loving. We feel really lucky to have found A Shelter for Cancer Families.” Matt added, “Everything was just so easy. Tiffany was so helpful getting us set up. We went to Houston at the height of COVID, so our doctors were very concerned about what we were doing. Knowing that we had two children with cancer, ASCF provided us two one-bedroom apartments next to each other, so our kids could rest as much as possible. And they took care of all our needs in a gracious, caring, and loving way. It felt like all we had to do was figure out where we wanted to buy groceries.”
“It’s healing,” Parvathy added. “There are so many uncertainties in our life right now, and that not being one – where will we stay? How will we navigate things? It feels like someone who has been there (fighting cancer) has thought through every detail. Like the little things…. the beds are REALLY nice beds, with GOOD bedding. It was such a comfortable sleep. It was so much like home and so thoughtfully done.”
On December 21, just in time for Christmas, Vishwa was cleared to go home following a stem cell transplant just in time for Christmas. He and Matt were reunited with Pavarthy and Charlotte as she has also completed her treatment. At ASCF, we pride ourselves on providing support, resources, and a “home away from home” to individuals and families as they traverse the new and uncertain terrain of the cancer journey. We are honored that the Anantnarayan-Pearson Family is a part of our ASCF family.
