Please Meet Lucas
March 24 2001
Lucas is an only child who came into this world fighting.
He was born prematurely at 28 weeks weighed in at 2lbs 11 oz. Such
a small precious little boy. When he was 2 1/2 years old and had
Kawasaki
Disease. Then on April 19 2007 he was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma
.
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant central nervous system tumor of childhood. It accounts for 15-20 percent of pediatric brain tumors. These tumors are located in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and other complex motor functions. Within the cerebellum, medulloblastomas are most often seen in the region of the fourth ventricle/vermis, or the central part of the cerebellum, and less frequently they arise within the cerebellar hemispheres.
Lucas' mom shared the following information about Lucas'
symptoms, diagnosis and subsequent treatment. He had been having headaches
that were occasionally accompanied by vomiting for a little over a month.
The first doctor he seen said it was probably the flu but the first words
out of his mouth were - I don't think it is a brain tumour. At that point
his parents were thinking possibly a concussion. His headaches continued
so he was seen by a neurologist who also concurred that it may be
migraines caused by the stress of school as she concluded from the visit
that Lucas likely had ADHD. The next test was a cat scan for Monday,
April 22 to confirm or deny that it was a brain tumor or migraines.
But on Thursday evening (18th) when we got home from
school/work, Lucas again was complaining of a headache and that his arm
hurt. He vomited on the floor and we decided it was time to visit the children's
hospital. He had a cat scan done the first thing in the morning and as
soon as it was done people started scurrying around us and I knew. We were
rushed into the MRI. Lucas was a champ staying still for 45 minutes for
the pictures - a very hard thing for him to do. The ER doc on duty came
in and her words were, "You know, don't you?" MRI pictures and told us
the tumour was likely a medulloblastoma - a malignant tumour. Why Lord?
My only child? Why? was all I could think. Cancer terrifies me!
The tumor was removed the very next day and surgery lasted
7 a very long 7 hours.
The surgery was successful at removing all of the tumour. But Lucas suffered some side effects from the surgery.
He experienced cerebral mutism for about a week. He couldn't talk. He moaned and cried a lot which was very distressing as we didn't know what was wrong. He was on morphine and tylenol for his pain. We talked to him all the time and when we heard his first words it was like music to our ears. He was lying in his bed and he asked us to turn on the TV. He didn't say much for a few more days. But after he had his barium swallow to see if he could start eating, he began talking as if he had never stopped. The pitch was different and it was accompanied by some strange sounds at times, but he was talking. He was manic when it came to eating. He just couldn't get enough. I think being able to eat and communicate over stimulated him that day. He became hysterical and had to be treated with ativan to calm him down.
He also couldn't walk without assistance after the surgery. He experienced left sided weakness and we wondered if he would be right handed as he was using his right hand for everything. He began seeing physical therapy and occupational therapy. He also saw speech therapy to help him communicate his needs. Although he was talking, he wouldn't tell us when he needed to do something such as go to the bathroom.
He had a second surgery to install a g-tube and port-a-cath and to create a cast to be used for his radiation treatments. After the surgery he became quite depressed. I think he had just been through so much. It was very distressing to see my happy-go-lucky boy this way. Child-life worked with him using play. Once the pain from the surgeries began subsiding our little man became more like his old self.
On May 10 we actually got to go home for a long weekend
on a pass. It was great but also very stressful as Lucas was still so wobbly.
We were constantly worried about him falling and getting hurt. But I think
it did him so much good to get home. The therapists and doctors were so
pleased with his progress when we returned on Monday.
On the 14th Lucas started his radiation. It was very
stressful for me because I knew that if he didn't stay still he would have
to be sedated for his treatments. They had to take extra x-rays that day
so he was a bit restless. But he did ok. And everyone felt he would not
have to be sedated. His radiation treatments will be 5 days a week for
six weeks.
Over the last year there have been many ups and downs
but Lucas continues to hold his own.
Lucas is finishing cycle 8 of chemo and his CBC results
are still good. Hemoglobin 91, Platelets 191, White count 6.8 and ANC 1632.
I can't believe it has been over a year now. I'm
so thankful every day that my precious baby is still with us.
Lucas loves - Webkinz, Yu Gi Oh cards, magic tricks,
video games (especially rock band and guitar hero), music, and books -
especially nature books.
He also loves the tv programs Jungle Run, Ghost Trackers,
Prank Patrol, and nature shows on Animal Planet.
Lucas has many webkinz from all his friends and below
is a current list of them that is constantly changing.
American Cocker Spaniel
Basset Hound (Lil Kinz)
Beagle
Black Bear
Black Cat
Black Friesian
Black Lab
Black and White Cheeky Dog
Black Poodle (Lil Kinz)
Black and White Cat
Brown Dog
Chihuahua
Chocolate Lab
Clydesdale
Cocker Spaniel
Cow
Dalmatian
Duck
Frog
German Shepherd
Golden Lab
Himalayan
Hippo
Husky
Kangaroo
Lion
Koala
Leopard
Leopard Lizard
Love Frog
Monkey
Panda Bear
Lucas' very first webkinz.
Penguin
Pig (Lil Kinz)
Pinto
Polar Bear
Pug
Raccoon
Reindeer
Schnauzer
St. Bernard (Lil Kinz)
Spotted Frog
Tiger
Tiger Snake
Bulldog
Bull Frog
Chicken (Lil Kinz)
Rabbit
Tree Frog
Tye Dye Frog
Velvety Elephant
White Terrier
Yorkie (Lil Kinz)
Lucas's parents would like to remind everyone that
October is Brain Tumour Awareness Month Also, we strongly encourage people
to support their local Children's Hospitals and Cancer research programs.
Please let Lucas know that you care by sending cards or
small gifts to the address below and they will be fore warded on to Lucas
and his family.
Please send mail to:
Lucas S.
C/o Smilesnhugs
70 C Mountjoy St. N.
Suite 315
Timmins ON
P4N 4V7
If you have any questions about Lucas , Please call 705-267-3147 and
leave a message. Someone will get back to you ASAP.
Your child could be part of the Smilesnhugs family and share their lives with the rest of the world. Its just an email away. Not all children are featured on our web pages. Many prefer to be private but still receive cards and gifts from caring individuals. Please email us at smilesnhugs@smilesnhugs.com