In the Shadow of the Monster is a documentary that is being filmed by a crew of talented film students from John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego, California. This documentary will share the courageous and inspiring stories of the brothers and sisters of kids with cancer.
"What is a brain tumor or cancer for that matter? Well, I had to find out the hard way. My brother Peter is survivor of a brain tumor. When he was just the age of five he was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma. The effect it had on my family and me was extreme. Even though I wasn’t born yet when he was diagnosed, I still experienced the side effects and the troubles that came with the trauma of a brain tumor, because those things continue. My brother Peter is not like any other 22 year old. He doesn’t go to college or have a job. He was deprived of his childhood as far as being able to be a regular kid. He can’t skate, ride a bike, etc. Peter isn’t even able to serve his country and enlist in the army. As Peter gets older and grows up he can’t do the normal things that he would hope to. He can’t drive, cross a street, or navigate on his own. But, not everything from a brain tumor is bad. He has a great sense of humor and I am convinced he is going to be a comedian someday. Peter is volunteering at an elementary school and loves working with kids. His ability to do that is one thing his brain tumor has not affected. I have some great relationships with other siblings and patients from families who have gone through the same thing as me. The hard thing though is when you first meet the patient and are even almost afraid to get to know them because of the chance of never seeing them again. I have made great relationships with some kids and I may only get to know them for a month or two. My friend Hudson was diagnosed with a brain tumor and we had become great friends and his brain tumor took over his body and I was deprived of that special friendship. As long as you don’t forget those friendships though you don’t have to say good-bye when they leave us, but see you later. Even though it is hard to say good-bye to some great friendships that I have had with some people it is worth it to be able to have known them. Not everything that comes from a brain tumor is bad. There are good outcomes like the great friendships I make and the wonderful people that I meet."
ReplyDelete- Emily Riley, 14
"My name is Peter Riley. At the age of five, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I had radiation and chemotherapy which damaged my brain, made my hair fall out, and caused some hearing loss and made it hard for me to keep my balance. I also had to learn to talk again. My left side was paralyzed. It took many months for me to regain my strength and to start moving my left arm and leg. I learned to walk after seven months. Now I’m 22 years old and I can function pretty well, although I do have some problems such as thought process, especially with remembering to look for traffic when crossing a street or parking lot. I also graduated with a high school diploma with honors.
ReplyDeleteWhen my older sister Rachel found out that I had cancer she was devastated. She felt as though someone had just murdered her best friend. Even after I overcame cancer it has never been the same. Deep down inside I know she must still miss that little boy she knew before. My sister Hope was only a baby when the brain tumor happened, but I am sure she feels very sorry for what happened and what I had to go though and still worries about me. My sister Emily wasn’t born when I had cancer but hearing about it must make her worry that I'm not going to make it in life the way she will, like getting a job and making enough money to live on."
- Peter Riley, 22