^i^ Colton E. - Quilt Finished in 2006

Born: July 22, 1994

Illness: Medulloblastoma (brain tumor)

This quilt was made with squares made by a group participating in a service learning project from Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, AL.  Thank you LaDonna for heading up this quilt!

February 13, 2006

Colton’s party was Friday and it was AMAZING!!  We did a Valentine themed party for him and probably had 75 – 100 people there.  When he left, he was hugging his quilt and did all the way to the car – he was thrilled!

LaDonna (Colton's Quilt organizer)

Colton E.'s Story

written by mom Beth

Colton was born the 22nd day of July 1994.  He has always been a healthy child.  Colton has always been an outgoing, low-maintenance, middle child.  After returning from Christmas break, in January of 2004 he began experiencing nausea early in the morning and on other occasions.  This being the cold and flu season, much was over-looked and attributed to sinus drainage and appropriate mediations were administered for this condition.  Things appeared to be somewhat better at times but then the nausea returned along with vomiting in the early morning and on more days - 3 to 4 days a week.  I became more concerned and discussed his condition with anyone who would listen to me.  His teacher suggested this might be occuring because he might not want to attend school (stress-related).

We changed medications, now treating it as reflux.  Things didn't progress but it also did not go away.  After he vomited on his regular mornings, he would be okay - no further nausea or vomiting.  He never complained of anything and as he was not losing weight at the time, the peditrician decided to monitor for one month and then re-evaluate.  Ten days went by without incident and, while playing at his cousin's house on a Saturday, he suddenly and violently vomited.  My motherly instinct hit my stomach with somewhat the same sick feeling Colton just experienced - "something is just not right".

An MRI was scheduled the next Tuesday at 9:30.  Once the tumor was discovered, the MD sent us to Children's Hospital in Birmingham for surgery the next day.  Thirteen hours later we were back in the unit room and the hospital stay was 10 days.  Not knowing for sure what his diagnosis was, this was a life-time to wait.  The news came which was devestating to hear - "your child has cancer".  His treatments would begin within 1 month and he was then to receive 30 days of chemotherapy and radiation therapy initially and then 13 months of maintenance treatments every week for 6 weeks and then off for 1 month.

This was the biggest challenge of my nursing career.  But with strength and determination from friends and family, we are getting through the journey - now blessed with so much more.  Colton is back in school this year and his endurance and determination inspires all he meets.  His incredible smile and dimples are the very reason to fight the good fight, but enjoy life along the way - EVERYDAY.  Colton was recently the recepient of the Cullman County American Cancer Society Inspiration Award.

Written by Colton's mom Beth in October 2006