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Drew is the youngest of 6 children. He was born January 18,
2000. He has always been a very active, "normal" boy. He loves God, his family, friends, Power Rangers,
Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Aladdin, and girls. Drew has never met a stranger.
In March 2004, Drew complained of headaches. He would projectile vomit for no reason and without warning. There were no other symptoms or problems and it didn't happen every day. The pediatrician treated
him first for a virus and then a couple of weeks later treated him for a sinus infection. When Drew did not get
better, but worse in a matter of days, the doctor agreed to order a cat scan of the sinus cavity.
The cat scan of the sinuses revealed nothing. Drew was very sick, vomiting a lot and very lethargic. After seeing
the pediatrician again, the following tests were ordered, through the Emergency Room; a whole head CT scan with
and without contrast, Spinal tap, and blood work.
The first test they ran was a whole head CT scan. We were allowed to be present during the scan. We knew right
away that something was wrong by the way the medical team was reacting. We were told that the CT scan revealed a mass. They told us there was no reason to do any other tests because he would be transferred to the local
teaching hospital. Since it would take hours to get an ambulance, we drove him to the teaching hospital. He was
admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit that night.
At the hospital, an MRI was set up for the next day. The MRI revealed a large mass in the left frontal and temporal lobes. Surgery was scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, 2004. By Sunday, the tumor was not responding to the
steroids and Drew was getting very sick. The surgeon came in to check on him and moved surgery to Monday, April
26, 2004.
Surgery went well, it took 3
½ hours and 98% of the tumor was removed.
Drew recovered quickly and was released to go home on April 29, 2004. On April 30, the pathology report confirmed that the tumor was a Glioblastoma Multiforme, a very aggressive, adult tumor.
The surgeon told us to go home and
enjoy our time together, 5-12 months.
After researching the options, Drew was entered into Clinical Trial #ACBF0126 - Phase III. This includes 33 radiation treatments, 42 days of Temador (chemotherapy)
with 10 more rounds of 5 days on and 23 days off at a higher dosage of Temador, administered orally, at home. On April 26, 2005, Drew completed the last round of chemo required
for the clinical trial.
As our world seemed to be crashing down around us, we prayed to God for guidance, strength and a cure. We would
not accept the possibility that our son could die. We prayed, our family and community prayed. We received so much
support from so many people. My
sister found the Poly-MVA website. We researched
Poly MVA and spoke with Gary Matson and another Poly user before deciding to start Drew on Poly MVA.
On June 28, 2004 Drew started
on 4 tsp. per day. Immediately, we saw
Drew's energy levels increase. Drew
has taken as much as 12 tsp. of Poly MVA per day for several months. Currently, he is on 2 tsp., daily, along with several other supplements and an organic diet. As of, October 2004, Drew has had clean MRI's. Drew is considered clean of active tumor.
Over the past several years, Drew has been on Poly MVA and many other nutritional supplements and homeopathic remedies.
A Glioblastoma Multiforme tumor is completely
unpredictable and very aggressive. Therefore,
Drew is facing a lifelong fight. For now, the plan is to pray, continue on the Poly MVA regimen along with the
vitamins, supplements and an all natural/organic diet.
Drew is currently in the 1st grade. He does have
some learning disabilities and short term memory issues. There are very little motor skill issues other than some
right side weakness. He plays baseball and soccer and is enjoying being a 7 year old boy.
We are thank God, our family, friends, community,
support groups and Poly MVA.
The Goodman Family
Front John, Mini Mouse, Drew, Johnny,
back Stephen, Gina, Mickey Mouse
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