Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Thanks to cancer research, Connor Dykes three years old is the survivor of Multiforme Congenital Glioblastoma. The nightmare began when Connor was an infant, just six weeks old.  Connor’s mom (Mindy Dykes) went out to spend time with a friend while dad (David Dykes) stayed home to hang out with the children. Connor had a bad case of acid reflux and threw up on several occasions. Dad held Connor to comfort him and found that Connor became more agitated when the lights were on. When mom came home and turned on the lights, they discovered that the left side of Connor’s head had swollen badly. Immediately they rushed Connor to the nearest hospital only to be transferred by ambulance to the University of Minnesota’s Children’s hospital. Immediately Connor received a CT scan and it was discovered that he had a brain tumor the size of an adult’s fist. The doctor’s recommended surgery. Although the surgery was risky, Mindy consented to the surgery. Four and a half hours later, Connor was stabilized and opened his eyes. But unfortunately Connor was not out of the clear as three days later Connor was diagnosed with stage IV of Multiforme Congenital Glioblastoma.

Fortunately Connor’s future looked bright, as most children with this disease die during childbirth. Dr. Moertel and other specialists informed Connor’s parents that Connor’s treatment would be innovative. After five months of chemotherapy, Connor became the youngest person ever to self donate bone marrow.  Amazingly this procedure was successful the first time and Connor gave more bone marrow than his doctor expected. 

The bone marrow transplant was a success, and two years later, Connor was considered cured. Mindy and David attributed Connor’s outcome to the strides made through research. The CT scan that was administered within 30 seconds, the chemotherapy with the right combination of drugs, and the bone marrow transplant were all methods developed from research. 

To help other children like Connor, The Dykes eagerly consented to any research doctors wanted to do.  Although Connor struggles with several developmental disabilities, one of them being hearing loss from the aggressive chemotherapy, the Dykes both agree that Connor’s survival far outweighs this loss.

References

Ballif, C. H. (2009). Brain Cancer- Connor’s story something greater in mind. Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Retrieved from http://www.childrenscancer.org/stories-of-hope/kids-stories/connor.html