Chemotherapy with an Attitude!

Evan came to us in September of 2004 after he was found to have a medulloblastoma.  This tumor, which was growing in the back of Evan’s brain, required three types of therapy: neurosurgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.  An avid skateboarder, high-school senior, and budding biologist, Evan and his parents knew that having a brain tumor was going to turn their lives upside down.  Over the 14 months of treatment that ensued, Evan endured difficult and unpleasant side effects, numerous hospitalizations, and endless clinic visits.  Nevertheless, he managed to keep all of us on our toes with his sense of humor and wonderfully dry wit.  Evan is not without a flair for the dramatic, either.  Prior to his radiation, knowing that he was going to lose his hair, Evan marched into clinic one day sporting a Mohawk haircut that would make any punk rock star proud!


Over nearly 4 years, Evan and the brain tumor team at the Jimmy Fund Clinic have gotten to know each other very well, and what started as a doctor-patient and nurse-patient relationship has turned into a true partnership between people equally interested in the same goal: his remaining a long-term survivor of this brain tumor.  As the months passed and this partnership bore fruit, Evan regained his strength and stamina.  He graduated from high school on time, gained acceptance to a prestigious science program at a top college, and started as a freshman in college in 2006.  In addition to recovering from the effects of the tumor and his therapy, I found that Evan had gained an amazingly keen insight into the nature of this disease, and the effect that it had on his life.  It is a rare young person who can apply the principles of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross to the loss of the ability to skateboard.  I have little doubt that Evan’s experience with his brain tumor will serve as an inspiration in his future pursuits, and not as a hindrance.  Those involved in his care are very proud of Evan’s achievements and look forward to following his future success.


Evan is winning his fight against cancer.  Your donation through the Pan-Mass Challenge will support pediatric neuro-oncology programs at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, directly helping in the care of children and adolescents with brain tumors.  Please click here to make a donation today in honor of Evan, his family and his bright future.


 

Evan

Evan and Sam in 2004

Evan in 2008 (see update below)

A recent update from Evan:

“I was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma in September, 2004.  After the radiation and chemotherapy I deferred a year from attending college, so as to give myself time to recuperate.  I began my freshman year in the fall of 2006.  After the first year I decided that the college was no longer the best fit for me.  I took a year off from being a full time student.  With the help of my parents, therapist, and friends I have challenged myself to get involved and focused on my future.  I also took a few classes during my year off.   

The summer of 2008 has been one of the busiest summers of my life.  I am progressively emerging from a difficult post-treatment depression.  My time has been spread out amongst many different activities and interests.  One the more important ventures has been volunteering at my home town high school’s summer school program.  I am assisting one of my mentors in high school in two Algebra sessions.  During the second half of the summer my parents and I will be visiting their native islands of the Azores, Portugal.  The three of us will tour seven of the nine islands. The highlight of the tour will be the last couple of weeks, which we will spend on my father’s native island, Terceira, where I have stayed several times before with my dad’s sister and her family.      

I recently came to the decision to leave the college I had originally attended.  I chose to continue my professional education closer to home.  I will resume my BA in the fall of 2008 at U. Mass - Amherst.   I hope I will have enough time to continue tutoring during the fall.  I am looking forward to living on my own and creating a life for myself.