At six years old Eric was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma (posterior fossa).
Last year in October 2010 his co-ordination seemed to worsen and then he would vomit after waking up each morning. Took him to my G.P. and she suggested an MRI scan. I booked Eric in for an MRI that week 8th of October 2010 and on that day was told that he had a large brain tumour. News that I never expected to receive, there was no time to prepare or plan or even digest this information.
Eric was sent straight to the emergency at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne and underwent a 10hr operation on the 9th of October 2010 to remove the tumour from the back of his head.
Not all of the tumour was able to be excised and I finally had an answer to why he was so clumsy! Eric had a slow growing benign tumour called pilocytic astrocytoma (posterior fossa).
Brain tumours in children are different to adults I have been told. It’s been seven months since his surgery and he has lost complete hearing in one ear, dry eye condition and some weakness in the right side of his body. He has regular check-ups at the RCH. His tumour is monitored with MRI scans which he will need for the next 10 years just to make sure that it doesn’t regrow and that is what worries me the most
He started prep this year and he is an amazing child and talks about his tumour with such grace.
A big thanks to the doctors and all staff who see him on a regular basis at the RCH they do an incredible job and save lives!
Lina Fantini
(11/05/2011)