When we read the story of what Jacob and his family went
through, we knew right away that he was a true Super Bean. His spirit of play never stopped through his
diagnosis of a brain tumor the size of a tennis ball. He played hockey and soccer, and pushed
through his symptoms everyday just to do what he loved doing. The undiagnosed tumor was taking up a quarter
of this six year olds brain causing severe headaches, which had been passed off
as migraines by many experienced doctors.
He even had troubles pushing and lifting his right leg while playing
hockey, depending on his stick for support; but nevertheless, Jacob kept
playing!
Finally, after the whirlwind diagnosis, Jacob had to undergo
an emergency surgery the following day to remove the tumor. This is any parent’s worst nightmares come
true. Watching your child getting
wheeled into brain surgery is not something that any parent, or child, should
have to go through.
Over the next couple of days, a team of doctors and nurses
monitored his progress and were given the positive news that the tumor was
benign! Even with this optimism, the
recovery was still a windy road full of frustration, courage, tears, laughter,
anger, but mostly determination. There
were days when Jacob could not walk and felt like he would never walk again,
but once he made up his mind, he went for it.
He was rearing to go, so much where his first day of walking on his own
two feet he took it upon himself to battle his father in a backyard water
fight!
Jacob’s spirit of play was only growing in the following
weeks. He quickly returned to camping,
sports, school, and of course, playing with family and friends. Throughout the struggles Jacob had to go
through, he had a special light that kept shining and kept inspiring.
This is a real life hero. This is one amazing Bean!
