Tommy was six years old at the time our nightmare began. Tommy had the "flu" for about three weeks. He was feeling better so dad walked him to the bus stop. On the way, he let go of Tommy's hand. He fell and could not get up on his own or walk a straight line. We went to the ER at Children's Egleston campus where Tommy was in distress. Within minutes he was intibated and ventilated. His CAT scan showed severe pressure on his brain. Within 1 ½ hours, he had an EVP extra ventricular shunt in his head to release pressure. After many horrible tests including MRI's, bone marrow bypass, lumbar punctures and brain biopsy, we were diagnosed with "disseminated medulla blastomy," an inoperable and aggressive tumor extending on the dura and down the menigies of the spine. We stayed in PICU about six weeks. We had a tracheotomy to get off the vent.

Tommy has received radiation of brain and spine. Currently we are having round five of chemotherapy. We have been hospitalized about 12 times for both chemo and fever and neutropenia (low white blood cell count).

We see our awesome doctor; Dr. Anna Janss two times a week. Her great nurses Lisa and Trish take great care of us. When we are in the hospital, our favorite nurses are Therese and Mildred.

Tommy likes to play with other kids. This is the hard part of cancer- you cannot have lost of kids over or go to school because you are susceptible to infection.

Tommy is very special. He was a 28-week preemie and was only 1 inch and 8 ounces when he was born. What we have learned is that people are good and caring when a child is sick. Please visit our website for information or for pictures: tommypeterson.com.