Corbin’s Story

My name is Corbin. I am 11 years old now, and when I was seven, I had cancer. Stage 4 Wilms tumor. I remember watching “Beauty and the Beast” at home when my belly started hurting really bad. At first, I tried to ignore it, but it got so bad that we went to the ER. I didn’t know what was going on or what they were talking about, I just remember a white room and I was a little afraid. I stayed for tests all night and then I started to really get scared. I had surgery, and I didn’t know why yet. I remember after surgery I had to get a patch and a tube put on my wound to stop the bleeding. The tube was connected to a machine, and I didn’t understand why it was clear because I could see the blood. I remember being in the ICU and I really liking my nurse, Kim. I remember going to radiation and liking being put to sleep because it was the only thing that made me feel relaxed.

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Some of the good things I remember were going to see the hospital helicopter and getting Lego sets. Some of the bad things I remember were trying to sleep with so many tubes connected to me, being

bored a lot, and taking so much medicine. I don’t remember a lot about having a feeding tube. I just remember not feeling like eating ever and I always felt sick. Then I remember after I got steroids, I would

eat big plates of pancakes and plain turkey lunch meat at the clinic on my chemo days. I liked the clinic

and the video games, and I didn’t go to school for almost an entire year. When I went back to school, my good friends made home base bigger for me so I didn’t have to run as much. I'm glad everything worked out for me. I mean, I still have a cough that doesn’t stop, and I have to do a vest and inhalers every day,

but things are better.

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PCFLV gave us tickets to a Phantom’s hockey game when I was in treatment, and we had a Dorney Park Day, too. They always send me and my brother and sister a birthday card and gift card every year. My sister, brother, and I all went to Camp Smile twice. It made me feel more comfortable being there since a lot of the kids had cancer, too. When I'm old enough I want to be a camp counselor. PCFLV also sent me to a wildlife camp that was really neat. Sometimes we get tickets for baseball games and other shows. It does make me feel special and helps me forget how bored I was in the hospital.

Mom’s note: There is so much Corbin doesn’t remember about that year, and we are grateful for that. I sometimes am startled myself when I remember the feeding tube or the wheelchair. The wound vacuum was a major trigger for his PTSD and the fact that he can talk about it now, is an enormous accomplishment. We are so thankful for PCFLV and all they do for the kids and their families. While families have to focus on physical and mental health, they provide support and fun to make life feel more normal. Consider donating to the PCFLV or volunteering at one of their events.

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Written by Corbin and his mom, Larissa

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Please consider donating in Corbin’s honor to support PCFLV's mission.

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Please also consider helping local kids with cancer by donating blood at Miller-Keystone Blood Center:

https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/centers