Report: Cancer survivor Boyle reveals tragic diagnosis for his two year-old son

“It was the worst two days of my entire life.” This poor family... all the best to the Boyle family.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Report: Cancer survivor Boyle reveals tragic diagnosis for his two year-old son
The Hockey News

Brian Boyle has always been a fighter. Even before his leukaemia diagnosis just prior to the 2017-18 NHL season, the New Jersey Devils forward has never been one to back down from a fight. The 6’6”, 245 lb mountain of a man has put up the fight of his life the past six months though. Aggressive chemotherapy and cancer treatments have pushed Boyle to the limits of his physical capabilities, thankfully his cancer is in remission now and he can get back to doing what he does best: playing hockey.

This weekend Boyle has been thrust into the media spotlight at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. Filling in for injured teammate Taylor Hall, Boyle and his incredible story have been front in center during NHL broadcast’s this weekend, but it was a special story from The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell that’s getting the most attention. In catching up with Boyle, Campbell uncovered the fact that when Boyle himself was diagnosed with cancer, doctors believed that his two year-old son Declan may also have had the disease.


“Doctors had Declan pegged for Ewing Sarcoma, it was almost a done deal. ... It was the worst two days of my entire life,” recalled a teary-eyed Boyle. As it turned out, Declan does not have Ewing Sarcoma, but he does have a rare vein disorder called arteriovenous malformation in his jaw. Boyle explains that the ailment is a case of “bad wiring” that essentially causes clotting and pressure in the young boy’s jaw.

In fact, prior to Boyle getting the news that he’d been invited to the All-Star Game, Declan had to be rushed to Boston Children’s Hospital with severe pain. Declan is fine now and he’ll be watching Daddy from his hospital bed, but the decision Boyle had to make was still excruciating. It was a decision that Boyle’s wife Lauren insisted upon.

“She  knows that I worked my whole life to play this game,” Boyle said, his eyes filling with tears and his voice cracking with emotion. “So I’m going to do my best. Hopefully we have some clips to show (Declan), we get some swag, it’s pretty special to be here.”
 
Amen to that. I think we speak for all hockey fans when I say that we hope Boyle puts on a show for Declan today at the All-Star Game. With journeyman enforcer John Scott writing the feel good story at last year's All-Star weekend, how fitting would it be to see another one of hockey’s truly “good guys” get his due this weekend?

All the best to the entire Boyle family, Brian, Lauren and Declan.

Source: Ken Campbell