Children Success Stories

We continue to load new success stories.  Please check back often.

We are attempting to collect as many stories as possible regarding children that went through proton treatment.  We define success here as a child that actually got to receive proton treatment.  We understand that many children suffer from the after effects of radiation, including our own child, and some children have had reoccurences despite receiving proton.  Every story may help another family facing the same dreadful choices.  Each family has a unique story to tell and we encourage you to share it. 

 Note:  Children's names should be limited to first name only to protect the privacy of the child/family.  No direct contact information will be provided to other families without their express verbal or written permission.

Jessica's Story - age 11:

"...Jessica was diagnosed with ewings's sarcoma while recovering f rom an appendectomy.  We decided that proton radiation might be the best option for Jessica.  MGH [Massachusetts General Hospital] agreed to take Jessica's case...Jessica has been NED for 21 months.  She has recently been diagnosed with scoliosis andwill be gin wearing a night brace, but otherwise leads an active life..."   

 McKenna's Story - age 2:

"...McKenna was diagnosed with an aggressive posterior fossa brain tumor just after her second birthday. She went through chemo, surgeries, proton radiation and then more chemo.Proton treatment saved my daughters hearing..."

 Jacob's Story - age 2

"...We will never forget those words "your son has a tumor on his spine." Our son? Are you sure? Little Jacob? "Yes, and he will need surgery either today or tomorrow to take the tumor off the spine and relieve pressure."..."

Josh's Story - age 4

"...We look forward to reaching August of 2010 with NED and then he will be considered in REMISSION! We are thankful for every breath! We are enjoying our life with our boy and his four sisters! Though we do not know what the outcome would have been if we had done traditional radiation, (there surely would have been damage) we still believe proton was the best choice..."

Brittany's Story - age 13

"...Only a few days before beginning radiation did I hear from Proton in Florida and was told we could come for a consultation. The only problem was it would be a week after we began radiation here in VA. We were already three weeks out and pressing for time. So Proton in Florida called me back within minutes and ask us if we could be there the following week. This was a Friday. We packed our bags praying that Brittany would be accepted. On Wednesday we were told she was a candidate. On Thursday we had a local neurosurgeon, eye specialist, oncologist doctor and a radiologist. Three different hospital saw my daughter for the next nine weeks..."

Shane's Story -6.5 months

"...After learning of protons, completing treatment & meeting other families w/similar DX, we were surprised to learn proton radiation is not the standard of care for all bladder/prostate rhadbo cases (extremely small population: 1% of all rhabdo cases). .."