THREE RIVERS AREA — Trevor Blanton of Searcy may be small in stature, but this little hero is big in so many ways.
Now, 8-year-old Trevor has been selected as one of the cancer survivors for the Mid-South Division Heroes for Hope initiative, which is part of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The initiative honors cancer survivors and caregivers whose work exemplifies the mission of the American Cancer Society.
As the youngest Heroes for Hope hero, Trevor was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a common childhood cancer - just two weeks shy of his first birthday.
“You never lose faith,” Trevor said about staying positive about recovery.
Doctors began chemotherapy treatments on Trevor immediately upon the diagnosis because the grapefruit-sized inoperable tumor was growing so quickly, and the cancer was in his bone marrow.
“It was growing so rapidly that his organs were beginning to shut down,” said Tina Blanton, Trevor’s mother. “They said, ‘In two weeks, he’ll be in ICU.’”
The chemotherapy treatments were three days long once a month for seven months, and he was taking shots at home to help build his body up for the next round of chemo.
Although Trevor said he doesn’t remember any of that, he realizes how precious life is.
“Going through all this just makes you sick,” Tina said. “I looked at my husband (Terry), and I said, ‘I don’t want him to die.’ Terry said, ‘Never say die. Whatever, God will pull us through.’”
“Never say die” became the motto of the family. Tina has it on her license plate, and Terry has it tattooed on his arm as a reminder.
Celebrating Trevor’s first birthday in the hospital, Tina worried that it might be the last one she would have with her baby son. Having to leave then 3-year-old Taryn home with family while Tina stayed with Trevor in the hospital was tough, too.
When Trevor was almost 2, he was ending his treatment, Tina said, and they were left with two options: surgery ormore chemo.
“By removing the tumor, it was possible that he could lose a kidney,” Tina said about the three- to four-hour surgery. “Or he could have more chemo to make the tumor smaller.”
The family went home and discussed it, prayed about it and decided to opt for the surgery.
Tina said the surgery lasted less than two hours, and the tumor peeled off of Trevor’s kidney, saving it. His chemo port was also removed.
“We went home with no tumor and no port,” she said.
“We went home and enjoyed our Thanksgiving together.”
Trevor had no more chemo treatments and has been cancer free since the surgery.
“He’s an inspiration,” Tina said as she smiled and looked lovingly at her son.
Tina said Trevor was granted a wish from the Make-AWish Foundation, but he was 3 when he was asked what he wanted.
She said he told the representative that he wanted a basketball court or a motorcycle and to make a difference in the world.
Because he was too young for those things, Trevor’s wish was revisited when he was 5, and his list of wants didn’t change.
“He said, ‘I want to be a cop, like my dad, but the mostest thing of all is I want to make a difference in the world,’” Tina said.
He got the basketball court.
“God is the best medicine for cancer,” Trevor said. “Never lose faith.”
Trevor will be in the thirdgrade at McRea Elementary School in Searcy next school year, and he will spend the summer speaking and sharing his story at Relay for Life eventsaround the state.
Staff writer Jeanni Brosius can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or jbrosius@arkansasonline.com.
Three Rivers, Pages 49 on 05/31/2012