The past six months had been a “honeymoon” period for Ethan Fox, who enjoyed relatively good health during a trip to a beach and Virginia as well as playing with other children during the summer.
The good times began to fade for Fox, who has an inoperable tumor at the base of his skull, when his mother, Khia Pire, noticed some of his old symptoms returning in October.
While medical tests in November provided a poor prognosis for the 9-year-old, his family is determined to make this Christmas extra special for him.
“On Dec. 3, we have someone who has organized a family gathering with surprises here (at the family home) … we want to be sure Ethan gets an amazing Christmas this year,” Pire said during an interview Monday. “They’ve organized a get-together with dinner (and presents) for the family.”
Approximately a year ago, Fox was diagnosed with a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma tumor at the base of his skull. According to medical reports, brainstem tumors from this rare, childhood cancer can only be treated with radiation as other treatment options, such as chemotherapy, have proved unsuccessful. Fox had been enrolled at School Street Elementary School, but has missed a full year of school due to hospitalization at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and other medical centers.
His mother said the brief remission from the illness this summer made her son feel like a kid again.
“Ethan was made part of his sister Nevaeh’s football team,” Pire recalled. “They made him feel like he was part of the team and made him feel special — he even got to make a touchdown during the championship game.”
Other activities last spring, such as a trip to Pittsburgh to watch a Pirates baseball game and a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, were also gifted to the boy and his family.
When Fox began having more trouble with his speech and swallowing this fall, an MRI scan revealed the main tumor in the brain stem had grown significantly. Bleeding, in addition to several new spots on the brain, were also noticed in the scan.
Pire said while doctors are not hopeful for the outcome, she and the family continue to hold onto hope.
“I’m still searching for help from other hospitals and we’ll continue to have faith and hope for a Christmas miracle this year,” Pire said. “Out of all the cancer funding, only 3.8 percent goes toward pediatric cancers.”
Pire said she is reaching out to other medical facilities to find out if there is a procedure that may help her son.
On another note, Pire, a single mother, said visits to hospitals and doctors have taken an emotional and financial toll on the family. She noted Ethan Fox and his sister Nevaeh’s father died in the month of December five years ago. A third child, Aksel, also has medical issues that need regular attention.
Pire said that while the family receives state and medical assistance, funding for basic needs that include food is tight. Pire said she continues to apply for Food Stamps, but has been told the family doesn’t qualify for that assistance.
Pire said funds raised for the family through community benefits have grown thin over the past several months. Therefore, gift cards for grocery stores would be appreciated by the family.
Pire said her biggest concern at this point, however, is to make her son happy.
“I’ve signed up for the (Era’s Less Fortunate) program and they’re trying to do something early for us to have at the family party,” Pire said.
“Ethan loves getting mail, so anyone that would like to send Christmas cards to him, and maybe his siblings … would help lift all their spirits during this rough time,” she said.
Cards can be mailed to Ethan Fox and his siblings at 186 W. Washington St., Bradford, PA. 16701.
