KAPAA — The lyrics to the Beatles song, “With a Little Help from My Friends” could be considered quite apropos for one Kapaa Middle School student, Kaimani Dryer. A golf-ball sized tumor had formed in the back of his brain and
KAPAA — The lyrics to the Beatles song, “With a Little Help from My Friends” could be considered quite apropos for one Kapaa Middle School student, Kaimani Dryer.
A golf-ball sized tumor had formed in the back of his brain and was detected nearly three years ago. It was medulloblastorma, the most common type of brain tumor found in children. His parents had thought it was a flu virus or inner ear problem that was affecting his ability to keep his balance.
“We noticed that when he tried to walk a straight line, he couldn’t,” said his father, Joel Dryer. “He looked tipsy.”
The life of the normally athletic 8-year-old who played competitive soccer was about to change quickly. The only surgeon in all of Hawaii able to do the life-saving surgery was unavailable and Kaimani was airlifted to Los Angeles.
A six-hour surgery was only the beginning of their year and a half stint in and out of unfamiliar, and sometimes unhealthy, accommodations in hotels on Oahu while undergoing intensive treatments.
“He has been through so much more than most kids,” said his mother, Terri Hunter.
Nevertheless, Kaimani’s positive demeanor was admired by family and friends.
“He didn’t break down or become sad,” said his father, “He was handling it better than we were.”
Today, the 11-year-old shows no signs of the tumor returning. But the family said they know how much support they received along the way, from personal gifts from friends to transportation assistance from the Kauai branch of the American Cancer Society getting to and from appointments.
Teri Hunter recalls how another life-saving puzzle piece called “friends” made a difference during Kaimani’s illness. Her girlfriend whipped up a batch of mochi and mailed it to him after his surgery when she heard that he was craving the rice dessert.
While Kaimani has recovered, other children find themselves in similar situations as what he faced.
And the ACS is fundraising for future cancer patients of all ages who face housing problems while undergoing treatment. The nonprofit is constructing an $11.6 million facility named Hope Lodge on Oahu.
On Saturday, part of the money raised at the Sixth annual Hoedown on Kauai will help fund the lodge.
The facility will house patients and their adult caregivers in one of the 19 guest rooms.
In addition, patients and their families will have their burden eased while having access to a living room with a large-screen television, dining room, library with resource room, meditation room, sitting area on each floor, garden and outdoor gathering place and laundry facilities.
At full occupancy, based on an average of 15 night stays, Hope Lodge will be able to serve 460 cancer patients per year. Except for the cost of groceries needed when cooking meals in the community kitchen, patients will stay free.
“The stress of the logistics during Kaimani’s treatment was hard,” said Teri Hunter. “A place like Hope Lodge would have been one piece of the puzzle to make it easier.”
The Hoedown for Hope fundraiser is from 5 to 10:30 p.m. at the Kilohana Plantation. The cost is $125 per person. Only a few full tables remain, but ticket sales will remain open until the night of the event.
Info: http://hoedownforhope.org or call 808-246-0695
• Lisa Ann Capozzi is a features/education reporter for The Garden Island and can be reached at lcapozzi@thegardenisland.com.
