In September of 2002, five-year-old Brandon Zammit played his first soccer game. As a member of “The Sharks,” Brandon’s love for the sport grew immediately, and he couldn’t wait to play again. For the next few days after Brandon’s first experience on the soccer pitch, he complained of persistent leg pain. Tired muscles, Brandon’s parents concluded, however, sadly this was not the case. Brandon’s leg pain was the first indication of what doctors diagnosed as Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) on September 16, 2002. Before Brandon would be allowed to play in his second soccer game, he had a long road to recovery ahead of him.
Although ALL is a rare disease, it is the most common kind of cancer among children, and luckily, the most curable. Brandon was given an 80% – 85% chance of survival, and he immediately began the 38-month long treatment plan. His first dose of chemotherapy began the day after his diagnosis, and Brandon was put on an intense regimen of steroids.
Even though doctors and nurses informed Brandon’s family about the likely side effects of the medicine, nothing prepared Brandon’s mother for the ways in which the steroids would affect her son. Brandon gained 12 pounds in 20 days, and his cheerful temperament changed. Brandon is fun-loving and playful, however, Brandon’s mother remembers that the steroids made him moody and anxious. He was constantly hungry and physically uncomfortable because of his sudden weight gain. At the young age of five, Brandon was taught how to use the microwave so that his nighttime cravings could be satiated without keeping his parents awake every night.
The steroids treatment lasted 28 days, and thankfully the side effects faded away with the elimination of the steroids. Nevertheless, Brandon’s treatment program was just getting underway. Doctors inserted an inline catheter, or central line, into Brandon’s chest in order to extract blood samples and pump in medicine when needed. Although this procedure decreased the amount of painful needle pricks, Brandon’s catheter needed continuous care. The external exposure of the catheter created a high risk of infection.
As a result of the catheter, many of Brandon’s outdoor activities, such as soccer and baseball, were curtailed in order to protect the catheter and Brandon’s jeopardized immune system. Instead of playing soccer, Brandon became a dedicated spectator at the Sharks’ games and an avid foosball player. He proudly accepted a trophy at the end of the season.
After Brandon completed a couple of chemotherapy treatments, doctors declared Brandon in remission after day seven of treatment. Nevertheless, by the time his treatment is complete, he will have been through seven or eight different types of chemotherapy, over 20 spinal taps and numerous blood draws. Brandon “breezes through” his treatments, Brandon’s mom, Cindy, reports.
Cindy is proud of her son’s resolve, but the spinal tap procedures are difficult for her, as a parent, to endure. She cringes at the five-inch long needle that looks enormous compared to her son’s small frame. The needle is inserted into Brandon’s spinal column to replace certain amounts of fluid with medicine. Although Brandon is given a sedative, and a spinal tap only lasts about 15 minutes, Cindy’s heart drops every time she hears her son cry and scream before the procedure begins. It is always a relief for Cindy when the spinal tap is over, and Brandon jumps off the doctor’s table with a smile on his face.
Some patients do not fare so well in response to treatment, however, Brandon’s body has responded well to his series of medications. Despite losing most of his hair, Brandon has been able to live the life of a typical six year old. He attends school regularly, plays with friends and relishes his passion for planes, trains and automobiles. While Brandon was in the early stages of his treatment plan, he mostly enjoyed riding his bicycle – with training wheels, of course. Brandon goes to professional sports games with his family, and enjoys spending time with his grandparents.
Brandon has a three-year old sister, Kendall, who was pretty jealous when Brandon began receiving numerous gifts and cards after his diagnosis. She’s still too young to fully understand Brandon’s condition, Cindy says. In fact, if Kendall had the choice, Cindy continues, she would probably like to have her own series of doctors visits. Little does she know what that entails! Most importantly, Cindy and Jim, Brandon’s father, are determined to vigilantly treat their son’s condition while pursuing a daily routine similar to Brandon’s lifestyle before the onset of his illness.
Last Christmas, however, Brandon’s plans to spend the holiday with his grandparents in Illinois were interrupted. Brandon contracted an infection while he was in Illinois. His grandparents immediately took him to the hospital after recognizing that their grandchild was not responsive and was showing signs of seizure-like symptoms. Brandon’s parents met him at the hospital, and Brandon was admitted and given antibiotics every six hours. He spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day in the hospital, but the infection didn’t halt the festivities. Santa paid Brandon a visit! Even while Brandon was in the hospital, the angst that the sudden infection had caused was compartmentalized, and it was time to celebrate the holiday!
Brandon’s hair is beginning to grow back now that he has reached the “Maintenance Phase” of his treatment that consists of different medications and dosages. There are only a few clues lying around that may indicate Brandon’s continuous fight against ALL. There are numerous bottles of pills in the Zammit household, and Brandon may take up to 15 pills on a given day. Anti-bacterial wipes are everywhere – in the house, in the family cars and in Cindy’s purse. In addition, Lysol is a staple product at Brandon’s home. Although Brandon’s immune system is getting stronger and stronger, cleanliness and good hygiene will facilitate Brandon’s road to complete recovery.
With great gratitude and tenderness in her voice, Cindy acknowledges the many caring doctors, nurses and friends who have “joined the journey” with Brandon and his family to fight cancer. Cindy and Jim are touched by what people have done for them and for Brandon. Meals appeared on the Zammits’ doorstep for six months after Brandon’s diagnosis. The generosity and kindness people have shown Brandon are true blessings for his parents. In many ways, Cindy says optimistically, Brandon’s illness has been a positive message in disguise. “We have a renewed sense of what people are really like,” Cindy shares.
In addition, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been incredibly helpful, and the Zammits are thankful for all of the resources and support the Society has provided. The Society provides free seminars for patients and family members about pertinent issues, such as the late effects of chemotherapy on children. Cindy specifically remembers the seminar about understand a patient’s CBC, a ‘Complete Blood Count.’ CBC is an important indicator of general health and of how a patient is responding to chemotherapy. It was all very confusing for Brandon’s parents before the free seminar!
In addition, the Zammits really enjoyed meeting other young patients and their families at the Society’s “Kid’s Fun Day” at Dave and Buster’s. Through the “First Connect” program, Cindy was put in touch with another mother whose son was the same age as Brandon when he was diagnosed with ALL. Most importantly, the Society is composed of outstanding individuals who are “wonderfully nice” and incredibly generous. Brandon and his family feel extremely fortunate to have the support and wisdom of the Society on their side.
With the help of the Society, dedicated doctors and nurses and loving friends, Brandon is persevering. Everyday he moves closer and closer to his ultimate goal, to be cured. Brandon played T-ball in the spring, and he’s looking forward to playing his second soccer game in early September. Soccer practice starts up in late August, and ever since his inline catheter was taken out May 8th, Brandon has cheerfully begun riding his bicycle again – without training wheels this time!
