We are a part of the most amazing hockey team this year, where the players, parents and coaches have been so supportive of Nicolas and our family.
Nicolas Mazubert is one of the goalies for the Okotoks Oilers Peewee B team.
On Feb. 13, Nicolas was taken into urgent care in Okotoks as he wasn’t feeling well. The doctor spent several hours trying to determine what he may have as his symptoms were abnormal.
We were directed to South Health to a pediatrician who thought Nic might be showing signs of influenza, and told us to provide lots of rest and fluids.
The next day, Nicolas’ symptoms had gotten worse, with pronounced pain in his foot, knee and back, headaches that made him dizzy and a fever.
He was taken back to South Health where the emergency doctor completed additional diagnostics and indicated he would be transferred to Alberta Children’s Hospital. He was admitted at 4 a.m. on Feb. 15.
The doctors at ACH worked quickly to determine what was going on; however, Nicolas became more ill in the next 24 hours and was transferred to ICU on the 16th.
From there we found out he was in septic shock from a blood infection. After numerous MRIs, blood work, X-rays, and CAT scan, Nicolas also was also found to have a bone infection in his foot, femur and two vertebrae.
As Nic was in ICU for 10 days, and another two weeks in hospital, he had to miss the last three regular season hockey games as well as playoffs.
It was heartbreaking to see his realization that in his condition, he would not be finishing the season with the team.
However, our team did everything they could to keep our family close and to make sure Nic was still part of the team, on and off the ice.
The parents and players were informed of Nic’s situation and our team manager made sure to keep all families updated.
The support we received was incredible and we want to acknowledge the players, parents and coaches of the Peewee B team. This is such an amazing community, and such a show of support, team and sportsmanship.
Words like thank you do not seem like enough to cover what memories we will take from this. However, there is so much good that needs to be thanked.
Thank you:
To the parents and manager who kept team snap updated during the games we had to miss.
For sending us your prayers.
For checking in to see how Nic was doing, and how the family was coping.
For putting together the gift basket, having the boys make a huge get-well sign and team photo for his hospital room.
For the get-well cards.
For dropping off homemade meals.
For raising over $600 in the cheer can in the last four games and donating that to our family.
For all the offers to help our family whenever or wherever we needed it.
For bringing Nic into the dressing room with FaceTime before the second playoff game. He loved being able to be a part of the pre-game talk.
For FaceTiming the games so we could watch the team from his hospital room and root for a win during playoffs.
For arranging the team and coaches to visit and bringing your boys between playoff games! He was just so excited to see his room so full.
And most of all, thank you for so much love in that arena during the final game.
To have a warm space set up for his wheelchair, and waiting at the door for him to arrive was incredible.
We came back to the hospital with a son who was over the moon and more happy than we had seen in weeks.
He was so excited to be part of the team and to see the team win the Rockies Hockey League championship. It brought tears to my eyes to see the players salute him with each goal they scored. To allow him to be on the ice surrounded by his teammates and coaches and share in the victory, and to be congratulated for his role in the season meant so much to him and to us.
Holding the banner was one of his highlights and to have the parents and coaches come and speak with him after the game, to provide your well wishes and congrats was amazing.
Our family cannot thank you all enough for everything you have done. This experience has left such long lasting positive memories for all of us. We heard words like “having Nic at the game was the highlight of our win” or “seeing Nic smile made us happy” and we couldn’t ask for more.
Seeing this group of boys (parents and coaches included) come together as a team through the season was incredible, and to see it reflect off ice as well is inspiring. To us, this is what a team should learn and retain through its years.
Thank you to the coaches for a great season and helping Nic develop as a goalie and for keeping him included in the team.
Thank you to the parents who stood behind us and supported us during this time (with all the extras you did).
Thank you to the players of the Okotoks Oilers Peewee B team. Your team spirit was evident as you kept Nic involved and inspired. Thank you for including him in the final games.
Even though he could not physically play, he was cheering you on.
Congratulations on a fantastic year and look forward to playing with many of you next season.
