On February 7, 2004, Brian and Christina Thomas gained custody of a beautiful, healthy, baby boy they named Gavin Storm Thomas. I am Gavin's mother, Christina. Gavin was born in Stuart Florida and is the biological child of my sister who was not ready to accept the responsibility of raising a child. Gavin was lovingly accepted into our home and became a part of the Thomas family. I flew to Florida the day Gavin was born and welcomed my new son into the family. I fell in love with him instantly. Four days later Gavin and I flew home. At the airport we were greeted by Gavin's father, Brian. We took Gavin home to meet his big brother, Kyle and his grandparents, Claude and Robin Walters. Gavin was now home and we could not have been happier. In Florida, Gavin has a grandfather, Raj Maharajh, four Aunts Cheryl, Chastity, Chandra and Chelsea and an Uncle Rajan . He also has two Uncles by marriage and a maternal grandmother, Allene Maharajh, who passed away with cancer seven years ago. As any one can see Gavin has plenty of family to love him. The first year was full of the types of challenges any family experiences when the dynamics change until....
THE DAY THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES
February 19, 2005, was the most devastating day for our family and those who love Gavin. Because Gavin had been fussy for several days and not eating or sleeping well he was taken to Anne Arundel General Hospital Emergency Room. While at the hospital , I noticed a bulge on Gavin's stomach, on his left side. Gavin was taken by ambulance to Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital for further testing. Over the next 16 hours Gavin endured countless medical test and numerous examinations by a parade of physicians. Our day ended with Gavin being admitted to the hospital and a tentative diagnosis of Neuroblastoma.
On Februanry 23, 2005, a biopsy confirmed that Gavin had Neuroblastoma Stage Four cancer. Our family was told Gavin had a 30% chance of surviving his Cancer. The Oncology team explained the course of treatment for Gavin would include seven rounds of strong chemotherapy. Once the tumor was small enough to be removed the surgeon's would perform the operation. After the tumor was successfully removed Gavin would have a stem cell transplant and then six rounds of radiation.
