Six-year-old Camden’s favorite superhero is Captain America – an identity he has embodied on his nine-month medical journey.
The local high school’s nickname is the Titans. When they heard about the challenge Camden was facing…they weren’t going to let him face it alone.
Camden’s Crew became Captain Camden: Titans Assemble!
This is his story.
The past year can only be described as a blur…in more ways than one. Camden was a growing boy, but he wasn’t actually healthy. His parents noticed his vision was struggling – he was focusing out of the sides of his eyes. He was also dealing with neck and head pain, extreme fatigue, and was nauseous regularly. Something was very, very wrong.
“For a six-year-old boy…it wasn’t normal,” said Tim, Camden’s dad.
Doctors and blood tests, optometrists and vision checks; they couldn’t really figure it out. Camden’s optic nerve was not functioning properly, so they prescribed glasses, which helped…but his symptoms never fully subsided.
“It was pretty much the same thing over and over again,” Tim said.
A visit with his primary physician changed everything. His optic nerve was even more swollen, so she recommended imaging with an eye specialist, sooner rather than later. They decided to do it that same day, since they were already in town…and it felt urgent. And it was.
The optometrist was very concerned, and submitted an urgent referral for an appointment with neurologist and his primary. Less than 30 minutes later, Camden was admitted to the Emergency Room. Following a seven-hour wait, a CT scan revealed (and a MRI scan later confirmed) the devastating truth: a tumor and hydrocephalus – fluid build-up in the brain, which was causing pressure on his optic nerve, and leading to the symptoms he was experiencing.
There were other red flags, as he struggled waking up from sedation and doctors were concerned he was having seizures, because his body would tense up and his eyes wouldn’t open.
“It was a horrible waiting game,” said Tim.
After connecting an EEG and relieving pressure by surgically draining his head…Camden woke up. Just in time for tumor-removal day.
From an initial seven-hour wait to a seven-hour operation, it was pretty tense. But it was very successful. The surgeon removed as much as she hoped she could, and everyone was relieved when a biopsy revealed a benign tumor. The tumor’s location was still an issue, and Camden needed radiation therapy for the inoperable portion. The tumor pinched off his pituitary gland, causing spinal fluid accumulation and an inability to produce hormone for his thyroid gland, resulting in a growth hormone deficiency.
The best option was proton beam radiation therapy at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. – one of 46 operating centers in the United States.
It was the start of a six-week, 30-treatment schedule.
“Rockstar, trooper, all-star – nothing phases him,” Tim said.
“He is a very brave boy,” said Christy, Camden’s mom.
Camden has responded very well to proton beam therapy. He is still dealing with diabetes insipidus – a rare condition requiring regular liquid and sodium level checks. It’s difficult to manage, but Camden is go with the flow, making it easier on everyone.
“Our experience with Mayo Clinic has been amazing,” Christy said. “We feel very lucky to have world-class healthcare and a specialized facility within driving distance.”
“There isn’t a better place for Camden,” said Tim.
And the place isn’t only the hospital – it’s also the Ronald McDonald House – which Christy said, “made the transition from hospital life to radiation so much easier.”
“Staying at the House in Rochester…it’s been such a blessing,” said Christy. “And it’s a blessing for any family that walks through its doors. You don’t have to worry about anything: food, lodging, activities…it’s a huge blessing.”
“The House has been so accommodating,” Tim said. “We couldn’t ask for more. It’s as close to home as it could possibly be.”
Tim and Christy also talked about the friendly and hardworking volunteers – how the House wouldn’t run without everything going on behind the scenes – and the kind and generous donors – how the House wouldn’t exist without the overwhelming support.
“It’s amazing to see how kind people are, because our days can be overshadowed by darker moments,” said Christy. “It will be great to go home, but it will be hard to leave.”
Moving forward, Camden’s care will be closer to home, but he will still travel to Mayo Clinic in Rochester periodically for checkups. Tim and Christy do not fully know what the future holds for their son, but they know the next four or five years will be crucial for his development. He is still dealing with diabetes insipidus and other pituitary gland dysfunction, but he is managing…and doctors believe things are moving in the correct direction.
“Without the House…Camden’s journey wouldn’t have been successful,” said Christy.
