It takes a village
Staff writer
After determining the scope of the problem, a radiation oncologist in Wichita felt Drew's condition would qualify him for admittance to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
St. Jude's criteria only allows children with certain protocols to receive treatment at that facility.
"All we had to do was call and send Drew's pathology," Jennifer said. "Thirty minutes later they called and said 'we want him here within the next 24 hours.'"
After arriving at St. Jude's on March 12, Drew had a second operation March 19 at Le Baunher Children's Medical Center, also in Memphis.
"Since they knew the diagnosis, they (St. Jude's personnel) were determined to start with a clean slate and wanted to make sure they got 100 percent of the tumor," Jennifer said.
After a one-week recovery period, Drew started chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Now his routine at St. Jude's includes spending time with doctors, undergoing treatment, and attending school three days a week.
"He spends one day a week with an oncologist, a day with a radiation oncologist, goes to radiation five times a week, and takes a chemo pill seven times a week," Drew's mother explained.
When Drew was accepted at St. Jude's, Jennifer spent five weeks there before returning to Florence in April to prepare for the birth of her sixth child.
"We've been doing pretty good with the separation," Jennifer said with a smile. "We're down now to only one or two calls a day."
"It's been really hard on Drew's brothers. He's the oldest and they've always been very close," she said.
Although Jennifer and Drew's father are divorced, the two families have worked together to create a positive environment.
"We believe Drew will be one of the five percent to beat the odds," Jennifer said. "He's doing so well and we've already experienced so many little miracles."
If all continues to go well, Drew will complete his treatment at St. Jude's next week and will return May 15 or 16 to Marion County.
"The doctors said there's no problem with him going back to school as long as he feels he's strong enough," Jennifer said.
Drew's return to Marion Elementary is something his fourth grade classmates are looking forward to with anticipation.
"The kids keep asking when he's coming back," said Linda Allison, Drew's teacher.
Not only does the class miss Drew, so does the teacher. Linda was one of the people who initially came to the family's rescue when the severity of Drew's condition was determined. She, along with Pastor Mark Moore and wife Nancy, and others from the Florence United Methodist Church, helped by bringing the family food, and including Drew on prayer chains throughout the entire area.
"Drew is just a special little boy," Linda said. "We talk on the phone at least once a week."
In her final year of teaching at Marion Elementary after 30 years, Linda said she was recently struck by one of those "stranger than fiction" coincidences.
"One of the students in the first class I taught at Marion Elementary 30 years ago was diagnosed with cancer," she said with a catch in her voice. "And now — just as I'm preparing to retire, a student in my last class at Marion is diagnosed with cancer."
That student 30 years ago managed to beat the diagnosis and today is a grown man, Linda said.
Just as the family's church and the Florence community have worked to provide spiritual, physical, and emotional support, so too has Marion Elementary.
An ice cream sundae fund-raiser April 20 following the school's kindergarten through third grade concert raised $1,300 for the family.
A second fund-raiser Thursday after the third through sixth grade concert netted $980 for the family. They plan to use the money to help pay Drew's medical expenses.
"I'm lucky to have insurance through my job, but we know the medical expenses are going to be unreal," Jennifer said.
She is a mental health worker with Prairie View in Newton dealing with children.
"My mom says I'm one of the most patient people in the world," Jennifer said with a smile.
That ability to be patient and calm has served her well during this situation.
"It's awful sometimes the things that happen in life. And a lot of things just aren't fair. But what God needs to happen, will happen," she said.
Jennifer said the family is thankful for the prayers and support they have received from Florence and the entire area.
"We're so thankful for the community's prayers and support. People have really been there for us. It's been unbelievable. Drew is on so many prayer chains," Jennifer said. "People here take care of one another."
