Honored Kid

Calvin the Brave

Age 19
Calvin the Brave Kid Photo

Location

Fort Mill, SC, US

Diagnosis

Wilms or other kidney tumor

Date of Diagnosis

November 2009

Status

In maintenance

Treated At

Levine Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center

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My Story

Calvin is one of the funniest, mischievious kids you'll ever meet. He has a smile as big as his eyes and he doesn't miss a beat. He was always a healthy kid--only a sniffle here and there, but never got the flu, never slowed down until he got cancer. He had Stage III Wilms Tumor when it was found--and he just wrinkled up his nose and said "what's a tumor?" He took his entire treatment in stride--like it was just what he was supposed to do! Flew through six weeks of chemo with no side-effects; had his kidney removed; lost his hair from what he described as "peeing too hard" and then truly gained his name "Calvin the Brave" when he had to go to radiation. At 4 1/2 years old, he laid still on the radiation table, 4 1/2 feet off the ground, in a room by himself with a very large machine rotating around him. He didn't budge--and if he needed to move, he'd tell you. He did six days and his doctor was AMAZED that he didn't even need an oral sedative to go through it. He's now completed kindergarten and is entering first grade this year. His 26 weeks of chemo and 6 days of radiation seem to have not affected him...if you didn't know, you wouldn't guess. He starts T-ball this fall and can't wait to be old enough to drive a car! Can someone tell me how to slow him down, just a bit?

The Childhood Cancer Ripple Effect

Who's Honoring Me

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