Wheaton community throws fundraiser for family with 3-year-old with brain tumor
Randy Ames arrived for the first day of summer football camp earlier than his players.
As head coach for the Morton Mustangs — a sophomore team that combines both schools in Cicero's high school district — he had some preparation to do before embarking on the 2011 season.
But Ames would not oversee that first practice June 13, and he has had little time to ever since. As he pulled up to the field, the phone rang. His wife, Dayna, rarely called him at football practice.
“Drew might have a tumor.”
The words floored Randy. His 3-year-old boy, always fit and active, now faced endless days and nights at the hospital. Doctors had discovered a rare, aggressive form of brain cancer.
Chemotherapy and radiation would become a part of his life just as toys and SpongeBob SquarePants dominate other 3-year-old boys' lives. And, for the Ames family, the medical bills would mount.
But family and friends have rallied to help the Wheaton family.
“I didn't expect this much (support),” said Randy Ames, who grew up in rural Michigan and moved to Wheaton about five years ago with Dayna, who grew up there. “The church members have been extremely active helping out. Our neighbors, we couldn't ask for better people to live by. There are people helping you don't even know.”
A live auction to benefit the family will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Wheaton Bowl, 2031 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Additionally, T-shirts will be sold throughout the evening starting at 5 p.m. Donations can be made and raffle tickets can be bought for several items, including tickets to professional sporting events, a grill and about 150 more items, by emailing helpingdrew@yahoo.com or calling (630) 967-8927.
Although they appreciate the outpouring of support, the Ames family never thought they would need it until that fateful day.
Life change
With a fourth child on the way, Randy and Dayna Ames expected their lives to change in June. But they did not foresee the extent of that change — nor the cause.
At a friend's birthday party May 21, Drew, their second-oldest child, started having involuntary muscle contractions. These returned three straight days for the child, who limped for a few minutes after each episode.
Despite Drew's relative good health, Dayna, who studied veterinary medicine, suspected a big problem and made an appointment with a pediatric neurologist on the third day.
On June 13, an MRI revealed the tumor, and doctors transferred Drew from Central DuPage Hospital to Children's Memorial Hospital, where surgery removed it June 16.
But the bad news kept coming. On June 21, one day before Dayna gave birth to Kelsey, pathology results on the tumor showed it to be a rare, aggressive form of cancer.
“It's shocking,” she said. “It's unimaginable. It put a halt to our whole world. Everything stopped.”
Drew is now finishing a six-week period during which he has had to visit CDH's Proton Therapy Center in Warrenville every day to receive radiation and proton treatment.
Additionally, about every three weeks for at least a year he must endure chemotherapy that drains him physically and usually includes bouts of nausea and vomiting.
Just a child
As he sits in the living room with his father, Drew does what other 3-year-olds do. He builds contraptions with his Lego set. He watches “SpongeBob SquarePants” on television and gets frustrated if someone changes the channel.
But the illusion is interrupted every night when Dayna approaches him with intravenous equipment that will deliver his daily nutrition.
Additionally, several times a day, Dayna must administer several types of medication, depending upon how Drew's body is reacting to chemotherapy and radiation. The drugs help lift his white blood cell count, which must be at a certain level before the next round of treatment.
Drew's face contorts as the sodium chloride makes its way through his body, flushing his system.
The chemicals are delivered through a catheter placed under his skin in his left chest area. He does not enjoy it, but it has become part of his regular life and will remain at least until the 53 weeks of chemotherapy and treatment lapse. Dayna said the family's Mormon faith helps pull them through the tough times.
“We know that everything happens for a reason,” Dayna said. “We may not know those reasons but we will never be given more than we can handle. We just never knew we could handle so much.”
How you can help
What: Live auction and fundraiser for Ames family
Where: Wheaton Bowl, 2031 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton
When: T-shirt sales and raffle tickets available after 5 p.m. today. Live auction open to the public starting at 8 p.m.
Info: teamdrew.org