by Dillon
By writing this story, I am really hoping I give someone hope and a little inspiration.
My son Dillon at age 9 was having constant headaches. My doctor kept telling me I was crazy for wanting an MRI. His headaches kept getting worse, I got denied the MRI from the insurance company. Dillon went blind in the store and we rushed him to the hospital. Five hours and a CAT scan later, we found out he had a huge softball size tumor on his cerebellum. He was diagnosed with Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma. I went outside and dropped to my knees; my heart sank into my feet. I was just given the worst news a mother could ever get.
Dillon has had five surgeries, got a staph infection, and is now legally blind. He can see out of one eye, which I am very happy for. In three years we have fought three tumors; his third has not grown in the last 3 months. We have been through radiation. I have lost my job and stood in line at the food bank. Money means little when time is so precious. It really puts life into perspective and we just have a lot to be thankful for. Our neurosurgeon team is bad ass. My support team is amazing. One day at a time; I try to be thankful everyday my son is alive. It is very challenging for Dillon. He is such a great kid. I really do not know how I have become so lucky.
Find grants to help you when going through treatment. I wrote many grants to keep us going. My social workers were amazing at assisting in finding help. Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is really a great place for assistance. Best of all never lose hope. You may fall down but you will get up and fight this! I read the other stories and it made me cry. I just want to give one mother hope to hold on too. :)
