I wish to be a pirate
James
7
brain tumor
Strong, like a pirate
by Kali Sherman
A natural-born performer, James loves dressing up in costumes and acting out scenes and stories from his imagination. He has many characters, but one role is a consistent favorite.
“He’s obsessed with pirates.” chuckles James’ mom, Nancy. “When he was three, he wore a pirate hat to nursery school every day, even for his school photo. Pirates have been a big part of his life.”
James in his trusty pirate costume.
Captain James playing in his pirate ship.
James asleep in his pirate costume.
James wearing his trusty pirate hat at school.
James playing dress up in his pirate gear.
In fall 2021, Nancy noticed that James was holding his homework about an inch away from his eye to read it. Thinking he may need glasses, Nancy took James to the optometrist. Tests revealed that James had zero vision in his left eye, so Nancy then took James to an ophthalmologist for further testing.
"Pretty quickly, I could tell that something was wrong," says Nancy about that fateful appointment. "I’m a nurse practitioner by training, so I could sense by the way the nurses were acting that something was up. They seemed really worried. And when the doctor came back with an MRI form, that's when my heart sank, and a dark cloud came over me. I knew we were in trouble."
For five months, James received weekly chemotherapy treatments that created a domino effect of negative side effects that resulted in trips to the ER nearly every week. But James' parents and his older siblings, Abigayle and Henry, were there to see him through it. And they always brought his trusty pirate hat to cheer him up.
After treatment, James received another MRI to track the status of the tumor. Unfortunately, the doctors found the growth had slightly increased and that the medication was ineffective. Surgical removal of the tumor was not possible, but James still had to undergo an invasive surgery just to determine next treatment options.
“Going back to the hospital retriggered a lot of trauma for James,” says Nancy, “We drew a skull and crossbones on his head bandage after his surgery to help cheer him up. It helped him remember he is strong, like a pirate."
Sure enough, the MRI showed a brain tumor pushing on James’ optic nerve, damaging his vision, which unfortunately cannot be restored. The family went straight to the emergency room that evening.
After the surgery, James was referred to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and received the opportunity for a wish. He knew immediately he wanted to be a pirate and go on a swashbuckling adventure with his family!
Like receiving a treasure map, James’ wish sparked excited plans and possibilities. “Having something he could look forward to and talk about, especially during those low moments in the hospital when times felt so heavy and terrible, was more than amazing,” says Nancy. “He had this new lease on life.”
When the time came for James’ wish trip, the crew of five flew to sunny Key West, Florida, for a true pirate adventure. Make-A-Wish Southern Florida showered James with pirate gifts, toys, and candy during his stay, while including fun activities for the whole family.
“It really helped us all,” says Nancy, “because for someone who goes through a serious illness like this, it’s hard for everyone involved. This terrible thing had a secondary impact on his siblings too, so the fact that this was so inclusive for our whole family gave us all something positive to celebrate him.”
This terrible thing had a secondary impact on his siblings too, so the fact that this was so inclusive for our whole family gave us all something positive to celebrate him.
Nancy
James' mom
When it came time for the big adventure, James—dressed and ready to go in his pirate attire—was greeted by two pirates who led him on an exclusive treasure hunt around the island.
“He was just beside himself, running around, squealing,” Nancy says. “When they handed him the metal detector, he thought that was the coolest thing he’d ever seen. And he actually found the treasure!”
When James found the treasure, he could sense the fun was winding down and didn’t want it to be over. “He said, ‘Hey guys! I think it’s time for a pirate party!’” Nancy says. “And he started dancing and got everyone there to dance with him. It was so cute. James has felt special in a sad way for a long time and this wish was the first time he’s felt special in a joyous way, and that means a lot.”
James during the pirate adventure.
James and his older sister, Abigayle, reading the clues on the pirate adventure.
James looking for the treasure with a metal detector.
James found the treasure!
James with his pirate friends after finding the treasure.
James with his treasure on the pirate adventure!
James and his pirate crew after the pirate adventure.
After returning home, an MRI revealed the new oral medication was working and the tumor had decreased in size. James has been able to have his port removed and gets an IV medicine every two weeks in addition to taking the oral meds.
“He’s doing really well and seeing him right now healthy and happy is the best,” says Nancy. “But he has been through so much. We have been through so much.”
In addition to the moments and the memories, the wish gave James’ parents something positive to share when the fact of his illness was getting him down. Nancy says: “He knows he has a tumor. He knows he needs medicine. But there’s been so many times where he says, ‘But why do I have to do this? Why? Why?’ Being able to say to him, ‘These people want you to have a really special time and to give a wish just for you because you’ve had to do some really hard things, and it’s been really, really awful.’ It just warms our hearts and we’re just so grateful.”
Thank you, Genentech, for generously adopting James' wish!
Watch James’ wish to be a pirate come true!