The pain was deep. My body shook deeply with fear and sadness. It seemed I was in a dream and I could hear myself saying "Wake up Lisa!!" My son's pediatrician, Dr. Kittams, had just given me the news over the phone, Isaac had cancer. That's all I remember. Isaac had just turned 14 months old when we discovered he had an optic glioma, a tumor growing along the optic nerve, causing blindness in that eye. The tumor was so large and close to the midline, risking vision in Isaac's other eye as well. We had to act fast, and after a whirlwind of MRI's and appointments he began chemotherapy. He was so sick and no longer the happy toddler I loved. I feared he would die. Six weeks into therapy we received news his tumor was still growing, seemingly resistant to the chemotherapy. Another i...
The pain was deep. My body shook deeply with fear and sadness. It seemed I was in a dream and I could hear myself saying "Wake up Lisa!!" My son's pediatrician, Dr. Kittams, had just given me the news over the phone, Isaac had cancer. That's all I remember. Isaac had just turned 14 months old when we discovered he had an optic glioma, a tumor growing along the optic nerve, causing blindness in that eye. The tumor was so large and close to the midline, risking vision in Isaac's other eye as well. We had to act fast, and after a whirlwind of MRI's and appointments he began chemotherapy. He was so sick and no longer the happy toddler I loved. I feared he would die. Six weeks into therapy we received news his tumor was still growing, seemingly resistant to the chemotherapy. Another impossible decision was at hand... he went on to have neurosurgery to sever the nerve and remove the tumor. After so many discussions, second opinions, countless journal articles reviewed... it had been long enough. Though difficult, we knew it was the right thing to do.
It's now been two years, and Isaac has completed the second round of chemotherapy that was initiated following the surgery. He did well and MRI's continue to show no evidence of re-growth. We know we have to continue to watch this closely as these tumors can come back and that would be devastating.
Isaac's cancer took the vision from his right eye but has not come close to touching his spirit. Isaac is an overwhelmingly happy little man and nothing gets him down. His laugh is so contagious that we have it programmed as our ring tone so that we smile every time the phone rings. Isaac loves jumping, crashing, laughing and being a crazy three year old boy! His favorite sounds are trains and fire trucks! Isaac is always asking us, "Did you hear it? Do you hear the fire truck?"
Isaac also has an awesome big sister Jordan whom he loves very much. Jordan is always around to play with Isaac and cheer him up when he needs it. Isaac loves her so much that he looks for her every time that she is gone and won't go to bed unless she is safely tucked away in the top bunk. Isaac's favorite movie is Pixar's Cars and he spends most of his days racing his Matchbox cars all over the house!
Watching Isaac start pre-school this year and begining to really figure out his world and ours is an amazing gift to our family and we cherish everyday that he is here with us. We are grateful to the doctors and nurses that are treating Isaac as he continues to be a survivor.
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