When the Emergency Room physician told Drew's dad, Matt, that from that day forward their lives were going to change forever, he couldn't have been more right.
Matt brought his son, six-year-old Drew, to the hospital with severe pain in his thigh. X-rays revealed what they thought was a leg injury from a trampoline collision with a younger brother's chin was, in fact, Ewing's sarcomas cancerous bone tumor.
Drew's mom, Kim, was home with their three younger children. "We knew Drew was in horrific pain and he couldn't walk. We thought his leg might be broken but we had no thought of cancer or even anything bad at all," she says.
Dr. Jaime Estrada, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist with Pediatric Specialists of Texas, met with Kim and Matt at the hospital. "He is a man of few words, but the words that do come out are so comforting. Those words guided us through this and helped us make decisions about Drew's treatment," says Kim. "He is the kindest, most gentle man."
Drew had an excellent response to chemotherapy which decreased the size of his tumor and had him up and walking again. But he still required surgery to remove the tumor and at least a section of the bone in his leg.
Matt and Kim, along with Drew's orthopedic surgeon, made the agonizing decision to have Drew's leg amputated to ensure the best possible recovery.
Drew faced more chemotherapy after the surgery and it was extremely tough on everyone. Drew's weight dropped down to 38 pounds and his energy was completely diminished. "I remember crying in Dr. Estrada's arms. Drew was so frightened. And Dr. Estrada said it's OK–if you need to stop treatment, we will stop."
But no one wanted to take that risk. They continued with the therapy and three months after it was completed Drew was back on the baseball field. Today, more than five years later, Drew is pitching no-hitters and playing third base for his Little League team.
Kim is grateful for the medical and emotional care Dr. Estrada and his nurse, Sue Vasquez, gave to their family. Dr. Estrada's calm demeanor had a tremendous impact on their family. "Dr. Estrada was so great at not freaking us out. He said, 'Mom, don't change a lot. Keep your pet. Be as normal as you can be,'" Kim says.
She remembers one night when Sue Vasquez came to their home at 10pm to replace an intravenous needle that had popped out. "Sue made it all better. She's an incredible lady... a firm, strong Christian lady. And Dr. Estrada is blessed to have her as his nurse."
To celebrate Drew's five-year anniversary of being cancer free, his family threw a huge party at the church where Matt is senior pastor. Dr. Estrada and Sue Vasquez were there, as were Drew's baseball team members, most of their congregation and many others who were touched by Drew's story. "Dr. Estrada brought flowers. He is just the sweetest man on earth," Kim said.
The ER physician's words six years ago still ring true, and while his family and friends marvel at his accomplishments, it has been a difficult journey for Drew who struggles to cope with his identity. His mom is hopeful: "I was watching him at his ball game the other night... I hope one day he grasps what a champion he really is."
Pediatric Specialists of Texas' Pediatric Hematology/Oncology team provides outstanding, comprehensive care for the treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with cancer, blood and immune disorders. Both Dr. Jamie Estrada and Dr. Gerardo Quezada are fluent in Spanish and English.