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Trevor's Story by Debra Lewis Our son, Trevor, was only four years old when he got sick. He had been complaining of stomachaches on and off. At first, it was "Mommy, I do not want to make my bed, because my tummy hurts". Daddy was out to sea for six months and Trevor had a new baby brother, so I thought he was just asking for more "Mommytime".
When Trevor's stomach aches started keeping him from wanting to ride his bike, I became worried. What child did not want to play outside? RED FLAG! I made an appointment for Trevor to get a medical checkup for the next day, Friday.
The doctor looked Trevor over, asked a few questions, and then sent Us upstairs to get some Xrays. The doctor concluded that Trevor probably just needed to decrease his fruit intake and increase his vegetable intake. We scheduled a followup appointment for the next week.
Trevor, his baby brother, Harry, and I are were scheduled to leave for Maine on a three week vacation the following Friday. My husband's family was there and we were going to visit and introduce Harry to his east coast relatives. I stressed to the doctor that I wanted to be sure that Trevor was alright before we went off to Maine. He scheduled an ultrasound for Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning, I took Trevor in to have an ultrasound done. The xray technicians were unable to tell me anything, but I could tell that something was wrong. They sent me back to talk to Trevor's doctor. He consulted with other medical personnel. More tests were ordered. Trevor had a CT scan, more Xrays, bloodwork, needles, and a Bone Scan. Our poor son had his stomach poked, pressed, checked and pushed by over a dozen people that day! He was so good through the whole thing.
By midafternoon, the doctors gave me the news. Trevor had some type of growth in the side of his belly near or on his kidney. The tentative diagnosis was "WILMS TUMOR". Cancer. Trevor had a tumor in his right kidney. In order to make a final diagnosis, they would have to surgically remove the kidney. Afterward, he would probably have chemotherapy.
My poor baby!!!!! I am not sure how I ever made it through that horrible day. I wanted to grab my boys and run from the room so many times. But I didn't.
One of the doctors helped me call the American Red Cross immediately. I needed to let my husband, Pete, know about Trevor and his surgery. I also called my mom. She decided to fly down to help out.
Trevor was so great about this whole crisis! He is a tough little guy. I am very proud of how he took everything. Even in the worst times, he was the strong one.
I drove the boys home and parked in the driveway. I listened to the love songs that they played on the radio. They were all talking about me and my son. I sat there in the car and cried for 15 minutes. Trevor did not know what was going on. He climbed into my lap. "What is wrong, Mommy?" I just held him tightly.
I am not sure at what point that I talked to Pete. The Navy was going to get him home to be with his family. We needed him. Trevor needed his Daddy. Pete was in the Persian Gulf at the time of Trevor's diagnosis. We crossed our fingers that he could make it home in time for Trevor's surgery.
On Friday, we went back to the hospital for more tests and more bloodwork.
My mother had arrived late Wednesday afternoon. We did a lot of talking. It was wonderful to have her here for me. When I had to be at the hospital, my mother (AKA SuperGrandma) took care of our 6 month old son, Harry. Which was not easy. I was still breastfeeding at the time, so Harry and Grandma got to know each other really well over 3 a.m. feedings of rice cereal!!!
My mother drove Harry to and from the hospital during the day to nurse. With so much else going on, it was important for me to maintain that bond with my baby too. I will always remember my mother (and father too) being there for me when I needed them so much.
On Sunday, Pete called. He was almost home. He had been traveling over 24 hours now. Tired and stressed, we met together at the airport. We had time to go home and rest before taking Trevor back into the hospital that night.
Monday, July 14, the doctors removed Trevor's right kidney. Pete and I, my mother and father, and my grandparents waited in the sitting area for news about Trevor.
The surgeons came out after Trevor's surgery to talk to us. His surgery had gone well. They had removed the right kidney and checked out the left kidney and other potentially affected areas. The cancer did not appear to have gone past the right kidney. The surgeons had inserted a Broviac tube into Trevor's chest to assist with the chemotherapy treatment. The initial diagnosis was that the tumor appeared to be malignant and Trevor would have to go through a course of 18 weeks of chemotherapy. We waited three days for the lab to confirm the results.
Six weeks later, Trevor celebrated his fifth birthday.
At home, I went on the internet to find out as much as possible about WILMS TUMOR. I read that the prognosis for WILMS TUMOR was good. Trevor had a 90% chance of survival. Only 5-10 years ago, the chances had been 50%!!!!! Pete and I were very relieved to hear this.
From July to November, we went through doctor appointments, chemotherapy, bloodwork, pills and breathing treatments. Trevor hated oral medications so there were days when we would beg and plead for him to take his medicines!! Trevor had minimal nausea and vomiting. He did lose his appetite sometimes and lost all of his hair. Still, this kid was so strong and so great.
Pete and I were always very honest with Trevor about his condition. We allowed him to ask whatever questions he had. It was a lot for a 5 year old to go through. And Trevor is very smart, so he knew that this was serious situation.
The doctors and nurses at the hospital were always so great. Every time we went in, they treated Trevor like he was the most important kid in the world. I will always be grateful for the way they helped make Trevor feel like he was more than just a "kid with cancer".
On the date of Trevor's last chemotherapy, November 17, we all were so excited! Trevor and I took a basket of apples to pass out to the staff at the hospital as a "thank you" for all that they had done for our family.
We started Trevor into Kindergarten and attempted to get our lives back on track. We waited for Trevor's blood counts to return to normal. Trevor did go back into the hospital in early December when the tubes in his chest had developed an infection. They treated him with antibiotics and removed the tubes. He had to have a temporary tube put into arm so that they could do the CT scan to check for any remaining cancer cells. From there, we just had to wait.
December 21 was the day we got the call.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! They had found no traces of cancer in Trevor's body!!! His cancer was in remission!!!!!!!! This horrible crisis was over!!
It is now March 1999, and Trevor's cancer has been in remission for almost fifteen months now!!!!
Every three months, Trevor has chest xrays. He also has some problems with his muscles as a result of the chemotherapy. So he will be going into occupational and physical therapy to make him stronger. Other than that, Trevor is a typical First Grader. He is very active and smart. I love to see him run around playing with his brother and our dog, Root Beer.
The Lewis family would like to say a BIG thank you to the staff at the hospital. You saved our son's life. We will always remember you.
Peter, Debra, Trevor, and Harry Lewis
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Trevor's StoryFriday, 09 January 2009 Trevor's Story by Debra Lewis Our son, Trevor, was only four years old when he got sick. He had been complaining of stomachaches on and...
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Last Updated on Friday, 09 January 2009 09:26 |
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