The Faces of Brain Tumors
Kevin Freeland
Written by Joyce Mills email
Brain Tumor
Diagnosed August, 2003
Deltaville, VA
Kevin is a delightful, outgoing 13-year-old who likes to tell jokes, watch Sponge Bob and play air hockey with his sister. Kevin became my nephew at 18 months of age when he and his infant sister Katie were adopted by my sister Kathy and her husband Bill. Both Kevin and Katie were born addicted to crack cocaine. However, the love and support from their parents enabled the children to thrive. During Kevin's early years he suffered from the effects of Reactive Attachment Disorder caused by the trauma of his very early experiences with a drug addicted mother. But Kevin always had a sparkle in his eye and a zest for life.
In August 2000 Kevin's father tragically died after heart surgery. It was a great shock and loss, but Kathy quickly focused on the needs of her children. She was determined to provide a loving, nurturing environment for them, and she did. Kevin performed well in school where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He learned to play the piano and was a great addition to his soccer team.
In the spring of 2003 Kevin began to act unusual. He was hearing voices. His behavior was uncharacteristically oppositional. Kevin was misdiagnosed as being Bipolar. The doctors prescribed drugs which made his problems worse. Kevin couldn't ride his bike; he couldn't tie his shoes. Twice my sister asked for a CT scan and twice she was told that there was no need for one. Finally a trip to the emergency room revealed a tumor deep inside Kevin's brain.
In August of 2003 Kevin had surgery which we hoped would remove his tumor, but it only created severe trauma. His tumor is on his brain stem and cannot be removed. It took Kevin 155 days in the hospital and 10 more surgeries to be well enough to go home. Kevin worked very hard to regain his health. He learned to walk again, started eating, and by summertime he was well enough to go to camp. In the fall of 2004 Kevin returned to school and it was a wonderful experience for him. In October he took his most recent CT scan into science to share with his class. But Kevin developed a syrnix in his spine and needed another surgery. The surgery at the end of October 2004 seemed to go well, but it led to a serious infection. Kevin spent Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's in the hospital. When he came home on January 13, 2005, he was again in a wheelchair. This time Kevin lost the strength in both of his hands.
Today after 21 months and 21 surgical procedures, Kevin is once again fighting his way back to health. He is in therapy, learning to walk and use his hands. Kevin is a tough cookie and he works very hard to get well. But like he told me after his last surgery, it's not as easy as it looks. I am thankful that he is willing to try.