A Modern Medical Miracle

Henry is the miracle that every physician, nurse and heath care practitioner strives for in their work.  I came to know about Henry the day before he was born.  Because of his mother’s astute observation and her awareness of a change in his kicking, an ultrasound showed a tumor growing into Henry’s spine that was threatening the function of his legs. 
Utilizing fetal MRI technology at the Advanced Fetal Care Center of Children’s Hospital Boston, we were able to define Henry’s tumor and begin to plan for his care.  We assembled a team of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, obstetricians, anesthesiologists, pathologists, audiologists, neonatologists, radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, and nurses.  Within a day of diagnosis, Henry was born and we were able to more completely diagnose his tumor as neuroblastoma.  Utilizing the expertise of dozens of specialists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children’s Hospital Boston, we were able to rapidly design and implement a treatment plan.  Amazingly, Henry began his chemotherapy treatment on his first day of life.  The action of this incredible multi-disciplinary team allowed us to completely treat Henry’s tumor within four months and prevent extensive damage to his spinal cord.  Today Henry is a delightful boy, past his third birthday, who is currently cancer-free.  He is truly a miracle child.  His parents, who exhibited truly remarkable grace, poise, and calm through this process, are thrilled with his recovery, and we could not be happier for them.


Henry has conquered his disease (that’s him at the 2007 PMC).  You can help support the Jimmy Fund Clinic to help support children like Henry in their fight against childhood cancer.   Please click here to make a donation today in honor of Henry and his remarkable battle against neuroblastoma. 


On a separate, but important note, my involvement with Henry goes far beyond doctor/patient.  It turns out that Henry’s mother is a producer for the radio show CarTalk (you know, Click and Clack ... the Tappet Brothers?).  I learned this when I emailed Tom and Ray Magliozzi to enlist their support, especially given that they had a fine time roasting me on National Public Radio when my wife, Julie, called in to complain about the fact that I, um, destroyed her car (audio available by clicking here).  Once the connection was made, Tom, Ray and the whole CarTalk gang have been avid supporters of the PMC and pediatric oncology.  Catherine does a much better job of telling the story:


  1. • Henry’s 2006 CarTalk web page

  2. • Henry’s 2007 CarTalk web page

  3. • Henry’s 2008 CarTalk web page




 

Henry

Henry (in the blue hat), his mother Catherine, and his baby brother Leo (2008)

July 2008 - An Update from Henry and his family:


Hi Everyone...


We hope this note finds all of you enjoying your summer. Somehow it's going by incredibly fast. We thought we'd take a minute to share some news about Henry, and we hope that you will join us in supporting this year's Pan Mass Challenge.


In June we celebrated Henry's 3rd birthday! We keep scratching our heads wondering as to how suddenly he's become Mr. Independent. But here he is. He's mastering stairs, learning to jump and run (an incredible feat considering the nerve damage done to his legs), and just got a special tricycle with adaptive pedals so he can learn to ride.


This winter, Henry started Hippotherapy and now receives physical therapy while riding horseback weekly. He's also trying to help put on his own leg braces. On a recent follow-up visit to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Henry strode in all on his own and greeted the nurses at the front desk. What followed was a round of crying as the nurses, technicians, and doctors who've been with him from day one and have seen his struggles couldn't believe their eyes. As Henry's oncologist Dr. Sam Blackman says, it's a miracle that he can walk.


Last week, the Boston Globe ran a column about the Pan Mass Challenge and Dr. Sam. In case you didn't see it, click here.


Over the past two years, Sam has raised over $125,000 toward the fight against cancer. He's recently moved to Philadelphia where he is working to discover new cancer drugs, and he and his wife welcomed a daughter - so he's taking this summer off from riding in the PMC.


Amazingly, one of Sam's patients, Rebecca Hopkins, is riding in his place. Rebecca was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 11. She's undergone surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation and now this weekend, will hop on her bike with nearly 5,500 fellow riders with a goal of raising $34 million dollars. 100% of the money raised goes directly to the research and treatment of cancers.


We hope you'll consider supporting the Pan Mass Challenge by making a donation through the Ride For Them website. There you can also read more about Henry and Sam's other patients. The folks at Car Talk on NPR have been incredibly supportive of the PMC and are Henry's #1 fans.


We are so appreciative of all of you who have supported Henry, us, and the PMC these past few years. There isn't a day that goes by when we aren't reminded of Henry's cancer and it's lasting effects. We are so thankful that he is one of the lucky ones. Please open your hearts (and wallets!) to end this horrible disease. There is still much work to be done.


many thanks,


cath, josh, henry & leo fenollosa