This is my son, Aaron, when he was 4 years old. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor called anaplastic medulloblastoma.
The first neurosurgeon who looked at my son’s MRI declared that my son would not survive brain cancer because the tumor was too close to his brain stem. This location meant that not enough of his tumor could be removed for a complete resection. If there is visible tumor left behind after surgery, the chances are very low to successfully treat cancer with chemo and radiation.
So after two long weeks in Pediatric ICU, we came home and my 4-year-old son couldn’t walk or talk. I did what most parents do these days: I googled it.
After searching the internet, I found a clinical trial on the National Cancer Institute website www.cancer.gov for an experimental treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I applied online and we were accepted into a clinical trial within days of my online application. Clinical trials must begin within 30 days after surgery, so my ability to find this opportunity online so fast helped to save his life.
Fast forward to today: my son, Aaron, is 5 years cancer free, thanks to that clinical trial at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. I am forever grateful for the miracle of hope we were given by St. Jude. I am honored to share all I have learned from my personal experience on my journey, and inspired by every story I hear about other children who fight the good fight.
Please comment on this page about how digital media technology, social media or new digital health technology has helped your family cope with childhood cancer. You feedback really helps me! Thank you for visiting & be blessed.
