February 2 UPDATE:
Cam has just completed the third phase of treatment, which was
called the CNS phase. CNS stands for Central Nervous System.
This phase focuses the treatment specifically at the Central
Nervous System. Included in this phase of treatment is
Radiation and a series of Lumbar Punctures in addition to
complimentary Steroids and Chemotherapy. Each component of
this phase was also supported by a host of medications that
were designed to help control side effects. This third phase
was a very demanding phase from all stand points.
The Radiation was conducted at Brigham and Women's
Hospital, in Boston, over the course of eight consecutive
business days, at 6 o'clock in the morning. Being in Boston
for 6AM meant that Cam and his family had to be on the road by
5AM and usually had to stay in Boston for other procedures and
appointments, making for some very long days. The Radiation
itself meant being strapped into a very large machine, while a
very controlled dose of of radiation was aimed at a very
specific place inside of Cam's head. While strapped to the
machine no other person could be in the same room during
treatment. While this procedure is painless and the side
effects are not immediately noticeable, the side effects can
continue long after treatment is completed.
Four Lumbar Punctures, also known as Spinal Taps, were
conduced over the course of fourteen days. Each Lumbar
Puncture had to follow the day after a blood test, so the
routine went as follows: Blood Test one day, Lumbar Puncture
the next day, then a day of rest - then the whole thing would
repeat, four times. During the day of a Lumbar Puncture, Cam
would not be able to eat or drink prior to the procedure to
avoid complications. During the Lumbar Puncture the doctors
would use a long needle, that they would insert into Cam's
lower back, to drain some fluid from Cam's spinal column and
then inject some chemotherapy medications back into his spinal
column. Cam was asleep for these procedures, so he did not
feel any pain during the procedures, however there would
usually be soreness and aches the day or two after. The side
effects can continue long after the treatments are completed.
Cam has been seen on the Campus of Hood Middle School
over the last two weeks. While dealing with the continuing
side effects from the CNS phase, Cam has been able to complete
a few half days of school and is trying to get back into the
swing of things. The doctors are very impressed with this act
of courage, because most patients would not be trying to come
back to school this early in their treatment.
Cam also made an appearance at the recent Little League
sign-ups. All of the support that has been felt from family,
friends and the community is greatly appreciated.
An attempt to update this page will come as Cam enters his
forth phase of treatment.
Update:
Novemeber 28th,
Cam sent all
his friends and supporters a nice message and asked us to
post it here!
Update: November
14th, Cam Riley,
one of our players in the Derry Little League, was recently
diagnosed with cancer.
Cam has
touched many of our lives with his contagious smile, unmatched
zest for the game of baseball and his unrivaled sense of humor.
For those of
you who know Cam, you know that this young man will put forth
the strength and effort that he needs to beat this. For
those who do not know Cam, he is one tough young man and will
beat this disease.
Right now,
Cam and his family need to concentrate on Cam’s treatment and a
successful fight against this cancer.
With that
being stated, the Derry Little League Board of Directors is
working quickly and extremely hard to put together a number of
fundraisers to raise money to help Cam’s family offset the
financial burdens that are brought on due to this.
Together we can make a difference in this young man’s life and
help him shut out this opponent!
You can send
your emails to Cam by sending them to
webmaster@derryll.org.
All email will be forwarded on to Cam. For those who
wish to send cards, letters and words of encouragement to Cam,
you can do so by sending them to this address:
Cam Riley
c/o Derry Little League
PO Box 747
Derry, NH 03038
The
following fundraisers have been organized to assist the
family:
Pancake Breakfast – Time & Location TBA:
We are in the process of organizing a pancake breakfast,
with all proceeds going to Cam’s family. Please stay tuned
to this web site as we will be announcing the details as
soon as they are confirmed.
Additionally,
we will provide periodic updates on Cam’s progress as well as
create a separate page on this web site for Cam to communicate
to everyone.
