His doctor referred him to a gastroenterologist at Loma Linda and we were waiting for our appointment in July. By the end of June, we began noticing that he could not focus his eyes. He would squint, or close one eye, when walking or playing. When you would call his name and he would turn to look at you, his eyes were completely unfocused. After three bad days in a row, Cameron was lethargic and suffering from dehydration. We brought him to Loma Linda ER. After running a CT scan based on the neurological symptoms present, a mass was found in his brain. He was immediately sent to PICU and prepped for brain surgery to remove the mass. When the results came back, he was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a pediatric brain cancer. 

Cameron spent 6 months inpatient at Loma Linda Children’s Oncology Unit. He was so young that he didn’t really understand what was happening, but he had an amazing Child Life team that supported him throughout his treatment. Cameron underwent the Headstart IV clinical trial which included three rounds of high dose chemo, followed by an autologous stem cell transplant. His body had difficulty clearing the chemo each round and suffered neutropenia each time…requiring an extended stay in the hospital. Mom stayed with Cameron during the day. As a teacher during the pandemic, she taught her high school students from her computer in Cameron’s hospital room. Also due to the pandemic, mom and dad were not able to both be with Cameron, as they only allowed one parent at a time. Dad would come every night after driving 2 hours from work to be with Cameron. Dad would switch with mom each morning and head back 2 hours to work. Cameron’s big brother Zak stayed with various family members including his aunts, and grandparents during this time. 

Cameron rang the bell signaling the end of treatment in December 2020. He is now 2.5 years with No Evidence of Disease! Glory be to God. Our family is lucky to have Cameron healed, healthy, and home. We still have routine MRI scans to make sure the cancer has not returned, which causes our family significant scanxiety, and a few side effects from treatment such as high frequency hearing loss and stamina/muscle fatigue/pain issues. However, considering the significance of his cancer and the outcomes that most families and children with Medulloblastoma face, we are indeed lucky. 

– Alyssia Parks-Bryant, mother