By Mary Owen
Stayton toddler Carter Funrue is officially cancer free.
“There are no words to describe the feeling,” his dad, Chuck, said. “It’s like getting a gift from God. It is so humbling!”
It’s also a release from all the pain and fear that has plagued Chuck and his wife, Jennifer, for years.
“It’s like the world has been lifted off our shoulders,” Chuck said.
On Nov. 22, 2010, Carter Richmond Funrue was born five weeks early by emergency C-section after heroic efforts by doctors to keep him alive. While celebrating his survival, his parents said good-bye to his twin, Preston Joseph, whom they had lost earlier in the pregnancy to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
“Our miracle finally made it into the world alive, but our other miracle did not,” Jennifer said. “It was bittersweet.”
Carter’s fight for life continued as doctors discovered an encapsulated fist-sized tumor on his liver. He was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of cancer that meant weeks of chemotherapy to shrink his tumor until surgery could be performed.
“Over the next two months, Carter endured eight weeks of chemotherapy that had no great effect on the tumor,” Chuck said. “It was decided that surgery was the only choice.”
Surgeons removed 55 percent of Carter’s liver. With the tumor gone, Chuck said his baby boy looked “normal” for the first time.
“However, he had to endure another round of chemotherapy,” he said. “In April, Carter was first declared cancer free.”
But the fear or recurrence and the unknown side effects of chemotherapy on the premature infant left doctors concerned and required many follow-up visits over the next three years.
“On May 19, Carter was given a clean bill of health, and we were told his cancer would not be returning ever,” Chuck said. “For the last three years, every visit was ominous, always waiting for that other shoe to drop, to be told it had come back. So you go through these emotions repeatedly every time he goes in for a check-up. But this last visit was different – a shock. Doctors told us that we didn’t need any more visits, that he was cured. That was the most incredible moment, being unshackled from this fear permanently. Simply amazing!”
Today, Carter is full of “life, love and happiness,” his dad said.
“So far, the only real negative outcome was that Carter lost 50 percent of his hearing in both ears as a result of the chemotherapy,” Chuck said. “A side effect we were told would happen due to the way the chemotherapy works, but a very small price to pay for a chance at life. So he has to wear hearing aids. Otherwise, he is a perfectly healthy, happy toddler.”
Care from 40 doctors, countless nurses, technicians and staff at three hospitals gave Carter a cancer-free life, for which his parents are entirely grateful.
“We are elated, tired, happy, overjoyed, weary,” Chuck said. “Most of all we are thankful for not one, but multiple miracles that we were blessed with in these four years. There are no words to express the gratitude to God, our families and friends who stood by our sides, every person who touched our lives and Carter’s, everyone who was there. And now that we don’t need any more miracles, we hope that the angels will deliver miracles to the others that need them.
“Never give up hope,” he advises parents whose children are fighting cancer.
“Believe and never give up! Accept the help that is offered, and ask for it when you need it. It is a long journey and you cannot do it on your own. Even in the darkest hours, never stop looking for the light. You will find it. And finally, love. Love heals all things and will carry you through anything.”
The Funrues encourage people to volunteer, give to cancer charities to help babies like Carter, or participate in events that raise funds for cancer research such as the upcoming 10th annual Relay for Life, July 11-12 at Regis High School. To participate, sign up by calling Julie Whitehurst, event chair, 503-428-4194.
“It was because of the charities that we were able to survive this process and save our son’s life,” Chuck said. “Life is so precious. Time is so precious. Love is so precious. We just want to make the most of life together, and to watch our family and little miracle grow and live the life he fought so hard to keep!”
