Since I started writing this blog, I have spent the vast majority of the time talking about me. For once, I’m going to take some time to talk about someone else, someone that I have never met. His dad and Julia worked together at CompuServe a few years ago and have remained in contact.
Ben Brewer was like most kids that are two and a half years old. He enjoyed life more than any of us do because at 2 ½ he had no real worries. He got up in the morning, played his little heart out, had a few meals and went to bed. There is probably no better time in our lives; everything is a wonder as we learn volumes every day.
Sadly, Ben and his parents would soon find that life can be a ferocious roller coaster that can rocket from unbelievable highs to terrific lows. Some seemingly minor annoyances turned into a horrific reality. Ben was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, Stage IV.
Neuroblastoma is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that develops from nerve tissue. It occurs in infants and children and can occur in many areas of the body. It develops from the tissues that form the sympathetic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that controls body functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure, digestion, and levels of certain hormones). Ben’s started with what appeared to be the sniffles, a fever and with pain in his hip that impacted his walking.
If diagnosed in infants under the age of one, the prognosis can be much more favorable. In Ben’s case, his chance of survival when diagnosed was just 10%-40%. However, seventeen months after Ben was admitted to Columbus’ Children’s Hospital, he was declared NED (no evidence of disease).
Many have said that I have been brave and strong through my ordeal with cancer, but if you compare mine with what Ben has gone through, you would have considered mine a vacation in Maui. Through it all, he has been strong and mature beyond his years.
Sadly, now that Ben has recently turned eight years old the disease has resurfaced. Like most cancers, when it comes back, it comes back more determined than ever. Ben’s road to survival will be even more harsh than what he has already had to undergo.
Please keep Ben in your prayers as he is the real hero here. Visit his blog site as he is now uploading videos instead of relying on his mom and dad for updates. You will be amazed at his strength.
Ben Brewer was like most kids that are two and a half years old. He enjoyed life more than any of us do because at 2 ½ he had no real worries. He got up in the morning, played his little heart out, had a few meals and went to bed. There is probably no better time in our lives; everything is a wonder as we learn volumes every day.
Sadly, Ben and his parents would soon find that life can be a ferocious roller coaster that can rocket from unbelievable highs to terrific lows. Some seemingly minor annoyances turned into a horrific reality. Ben was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, Stage IV.
Neuroblastoma is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that develops from nerve tissue. It occurs in infants and children and can occur in many areas of the body. It develops from the tissues that form the sympathetic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that controls body functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure, digestion, and levels of certain hormones). Ben’s started with what appeared to be the sniffles, a fever and with pain in his hip that impacted his walking.
If diagnosed in infants under the age of one, the prognosis can be much more favorable. In Ben’s case, his chance of survival when diagnosed was just 10%-40%. However, seventeen months after Ben was admitted to Columbus’ Children’s Hospital, he was declared NED (no evidence of disease).
Many have said that I have been brave and strong through my ordeal with cancer, but if you compare mine with what Ben has gone through, you would have considered mine a vacation in Maui. Through it all, he has been strong and mature beyond his years.
Sadly, now that Ben has recently turned eight years old the disease has resurfaced. Like most cancers, when it comes back, it comes back more determined than ever. Ben’s road to survival will be even more harsh than what he has already had to undergo.
Please keep Ben in your prayers as he is the real hero here. Visit his blog site as he is now uploading videos instead of relying on his mom and dad for updates. You will be amazed at his strength.
Sadly I came in contact with of hundreds of kids like little Ben during my time working with the Pediatric Cancer Foundation in Tampa. Many won their battles- others were not so lucky. However each one of those children were incredible inspirations as they battled their disease with more strength and courage, hope and grace than one could ever imagine. I encourage anyone interested in helping to find a cure for rare forms of pediatric cancer such as blastomas and sarcomas to visit the website www.fastercure.org.
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