Eyles, Prospect have special bond

Lindsey Eyles is a future Prospect Knight, who competes in soccer, gymnastics and dance.

Upon first glance, this Lincoln Middle School student has an infectious smile, and a mature state of mind that most sixth-grade students don't attain.

However, the 11-year-old Eyles battles a rare cancer called Ewing's sarcoma. Ewing's sarcoma is a malignant tumor which is found in the bone or soft tissue.

Eyles is the eldest of three children of 1988 Prospect graduates Jeff and Sue Eyles (Sarah is 8 and Jack is 6). She first contracted the illness at the end of March 2009 and began treatment a month later at Rush University Hospital in Chicago.

In early 2010, Eyles stopped treatment for the cancer, but it remissed in March 2010.

“She is still undergoing chemotherapy five days straight at home, and is off for two weeks,” Lindsey's mother Sue said. “When Lindsey isn't on chemo, she goes to school. When she doesn't go to school she still does her homework.”

The tumor was first found by Lindsey's gymnastics coach during practice. Lindsey now displays a scar around her bicep area which the tumor was extended from the bottom of her shoulder to her elbow.

“Lindsey had a big lump on her arm, like the size of a golf ball,” Sue said. “At that point, we went to Lindsey's uncle who is a doctor, and he thought it was a ruptured bicep.

“We went and did an MRI, and that's when the process first began. (The tumor) got huge quick, like the size of a tennis ball. It was good in the long run that we found it early.”

Lindsey has gone through long stints in the hospital, although she rarely complains. According to her mother Sue, she has a high threshold for pain. When Lindsey would go for hospital visits nurses would argue over having her as a patient because of her happy-go-lucky attitude.

While she battles her illness, Lindsey still finds time to do the things she loves. Although she cannot do gymnastics anymore, she still participates as a part of the 11-year old Prospect soccer travel team, and is a part of her dance team.

In May, Lindsey and her mother Sue had to travel to Houston for more treatment. With a dance recital rapidly approaching, Lindsey did not miss a step in her busy schedule.

“My teacher Dave e-mailed me the steps to the music,” Lindsey said in regards to practicing for her recital. “We got the CD of the music, and we'd go to Panera daily and dance on the patio. I'd do my homework, and then practice dance moves.”

When Lindsey returned to her home in Mount Prospect, she was sick in the morning, and performed in dance recitals by night. She danced in four recitals.

Lindsey received a lot of support from the community. Lindsey's soccer coach, Laura Gerber, acted quickly to help the Eyles' family in gaining a sponsor.

“I was watching on TV a report by Bryant Gumbel and saw that Northwestern University's lacrosse team helped sponsor a girl with cancer,” said Gerber, who has known the Eyles family since Lindsey began kindergarten. “I e-mailed the Prospect athletic director, and within an hour (Prospect tennis coach) Karie McClure e-mailed me back ready to go with the idea.

“Lindsey is an amazing girl. Before she got sick, she was one of the best players. She had a six-pack stomach. I think she's doing well with this because she was in good shape before she started treatment.”

McClure and the Prospect girls tennis team then acted fast at the beginning of their season. They initiated a little sister program in which they adopted Lindsey. She first attended a team and met all 38 girls in the program.

The Prospect team then attended one of Lindsey's soccer matches, where they made posters and cheered her on.

“When I first saw the e-mail, the first thing I thought was, ‘How could you not?'” McClure said. “It was a great experience for everyone. Every one of the (Prospect tennis) girls wanted to help give back. I first told four of the upperclassmen, and they were ecstatic to do it.

“After we had our popsicle party at the practice (Lindsey) came to, the girls got together and made blankets for her. (Lindsey's) strength is unbelievable. My girls learned life lessons from this experience. A kid's life can change instantly. Don't take anything for granted. Seize each day.”

Besides the blankets, the Prospect tennis team also supplied the program shirt and a bumper magnet. The tennis team also donated more blankets to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where Lindsey frequently goes for treatment.

After returning from Texas, Lindsey got to meet the competitors on Dancing with the Stars in Los Angeles, which was funded by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She enjoyed meeting with NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and actress Pamela Anderson.

With all of the athletic endeavors on Lindsey's plate, she really enjoys reading chapter books such as the Percy Jackson series. She reads one to two books a week.

Lindsey also likes arts and crafts such as sewing, knitting and painting. Her favorite subjects are reading and Spanish.

Lindsey's favorite shows are Dancing with the Stars, Project Runway and programs on the Disney Channel. According to Lindsey, reality television got Sue and her through many long hospital visits.

And Lindsey enjoys school and has high aspirations for her future.

“I like junior high,” Lindsey said. “I like having lockers and seeing people in the halls. I get to see friends I know from grade school and soccer.

“When I grow up I want to be a doctor or a fashion designer. I know they're completely different, but I want to be a fashion designer because I'd want to design clothes.

“I want to be a doctor because I just know a lot now (from this experience). Looking under the microscopes are really cool.”

The future is unknown in regards to Lindsey's treatment. The Eyles family has accepted a new diet that Lindsey has commenced to keep living healthier. Lindsey will also try an alternative treatment not yet FDA approved.

“I eat stuff that swims and grows in the ground,” Lindsey said. “I can't have protein except fish and eggs. We're doing it as a family.”

“I think it helps Lindsey has a positive mind,” Sue said. “I always tell Lindsey the mind is a powerful thing. If you have a good mind, everything will turn out OK.

“Lindsey is very determined.”