In May 2007, Dustin started getting very bad headaches. They became more frequent and more severe. Despite visits to his family doctor and medications the headaches were getting stronger. At the end of July that year, Dustin was sent for an MRI.
Dustin had a tumour that was putting pressure on a cranial nerve affecting his ear, eye and jaw. The tumour was caused by a rare white blood cell disorder that causes the cells to cluster into masses. McMaster Children’s Hospital doctors operated to remove as much of the tumour as they could. Since it was in such a delicate area they could not remove all of it without possibly damaging his jaw function, sight or hearing.
Dustin’s severe headaches started again that September so they decided to treat it with chemotherapy. Although it is not a cancer, Langerhans cell histiocytosis can be treated in the same manner if the tumour does not stabilize or go away on its own. Dustin underwent "chemo light" a less severe course of chemotherapy that lasted six weeks. He then took prednisone for 6 weeks, causing weight gain which was difficult for Dustin. Following his chemo, he underwent "continuation therapy" until they could determine the status of the tumour.
"I’m proud to be a Mac Kid," says Dustin when asked about his experience at the hospital. "It’s the hospital that took great care of me!"
Dustin continues to be followed by a number of doctors at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
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