I wish to go to Florida
Shimon
14
brain tumor
Shimon's Wish Brings a Summer of Joy
During a bustling summer full of fun activities, Shimon's life took an unexpected turn when he began experiencing relentless thirst. His mom, Brenda, noticed he was extremely thirsty at night, often waking up to drink an entire bottle of water. “He was constantly drinking,” Brenda says. “He was also falling asleep for the night at 5:30 or 6 p.m., but we just thought he had had a long day at summer camp and was tired.”
Brenda’s concern for her son’s health only grew when Shimon told her he was seeing double. A fateful visit to the eye doctor led to a pediatric eye specialist, an MRI and the devastating discovery of a tumor pressing on his optic nerve and pituitary gland. The tumor, known as a craniopharyngioma, demanded immediate action, and its removal altered Shimon's life forever. Despite the surgery's success, he lost sight in his left eye and would need to take replacement hormones for the rest of his life due to the removal of his pituitary gland.
Shimon’s journey was not over as he bravely navigated the challenges of recovery over the next few months. Fatigue, anxiety, and fear of leaving home kept him from school for much of third grade. To bolster his confidence, Shimon engaged in occupational therapy and welcomed homeschool helpers into his life. His resilience, nurtured by a loving family, carried him through the healing process.
Over the next few years, regular MRIs became a routine, ensuring that the tumor did not return. “Everything was going well until two and a half years out and the doctor noticed something on the MRI,” Brenda continues. “She didn’t panic us but said we should do a repeat MRI in six months.” The following MRI confirmed their fears that the tumor was growing back.
Not wanting Shimon to undergo a second craniotomy, his parents sought an alternative surgical approach that involved less invasive measures. Shimon underwent this second surgery during his seventh-grade year. “The second surgery was a bit less invasive, but it was traumatic for Shimon,” Brenda says. “He was very consumed by the whole experience.” Despite these challenges, Shimon's determination triumphed once more as he worked to get back on his feet again.
Not long after his second surgery, Brenda got the call that Shimon would be granted a life-changing wish. He had been home from the hospital for about a week and the entire family felt vulnerable and emotionally exhausted. “I almost started to cry” Brenda shares. “It was such a feeling of support - that someone cares and appreciates the struggles we were having and that we have something good to look forward to. I was truly overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude. It felt so good to be taken care of.”
In the following months, Shimon would spend hours imagining the different things he could wish for, giving him something positive to focus on during his recovery. When he decided on a family vacation to Florida, he dove into researching where he wanted to stay and what fun activities he wanted to plan. “Shimon’s wish was to rent an amazing house with a game room, pool, and home theatre,” Brenda says. “He wanted to go to Florida and to one of the theme parks and to NASA. He also loves nature, and he chose to go on a dolphin tour, which he loved. It was so much fun, and we all felt relaxed and engaged with each other.”
For Shimon, his wish was more than a vacation - it was a source of positivity and empowerment. It symbolized the triumph over his surgeries and a celebration of newfound sense of strength and confidence. “He felt supported and almost like his surgeries had a positive outcome in being able to go on such an amazing vacation,” Brenda says. “He was relaxed and excited. It was wonderful seeing him love every minute! Being able to reflect back on the past few years, instead of having only medical memories, we now have our wish memory and that has balanced out this journey with Shimon.”
Shimon, now starting high school, faces a bright future. Yearly MRI scans are still a part of his life, but his doctors are confident that he won't require further surgeries. “He is on his medications, but I see a shift in him,” Brenda continues. “He feels more confident, is less occupied with his health or feeling vulnerable, and he is focused on his future and being in high school this year. It is truly a blessing.”
The family expresses their deep gratitude to Make-A-Wish and their supporters for the incredible summer they shared. Their wish was a life-changing experience, a testament to the power of hope and resilience. Amid life's challenges, Shimon and his family discovered the beauty of coming together, making lasting memories and embracing the joy that life has to offer. Shimon's journey is a testament to his unwavering spirit, and his wish was a radiant beacon of light in his remarkable story.
