June 17, 2009

Catholic faith, community provide vital support to boy fighting cancer

By Julie Filby 

Six-year-old Myles did not want to take his medicine.

“It tastes yucky!” he complained, and his tearful protest escalated by the minute.

His father, Mark, whose patience was wearing thin, in a moment of inspiration, pulled out a rosary and positioned the crucifix in plain sight.

Mark collected himself and calmly explained, “Christ’s sacrifice on the cross greatly exceeds anything we’ll ever have to endure.”

Myles understood. He calmed down and swallowed the liquid.

A grateful father congratulated his son.

That particular medication was not for a sore throat, ear infection or other common childhood illness. It was a prescription used to ward off pneumonia in cancer patients.

Six months ago, young Myles was suddenly diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

The Krick family—Myles, Mark, mom Sarah and 3-year-old brother Ben—parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Lakewood, spent last Christmas break in North Dakota visiting family. While on vacation the boys enjoyed a game of hockey.

A few days later, Myles left eye was not tracking with his right one, and he complained of seeing double. His parents took him to an urgent care clinic, thinking he may have been injured from a fall on the ice.

Nothing could have prepared them for the news they received: Myles had “medulloblastoma,” an aggressive brain tumor that had spread down his spine.

“That was one of the toughest days of our lives,” said Mark. “It was a complete shock.”

Due to the nature of the disease, treatment started immediately. Within 48 hours of returning home, doctors surgically removed as much of the tumor as possible during an eight-hour operation.

Following surgery, Myles—a first grader at Our Lady of Fatima School at the time—had radiation and chemotherapy sessions every weekday for two months.

“Myles has been a fighter,” Mark said. “Braver than anyone could have imagined on the road to what we hope will be a complete recovery.”

The rosary-inspired incident is just one example of how the Krick’s Catholic faith and community have helped them on this journey.

The rosary, blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, was a gift from Bishop Walker Nickless of Sioux City, Iowa. Bishop Nickless, who had baptized Myles five years earlier while pastor at Our Lady of Fatima, visited and prayed with the family at the hospital after Myles’ surgery.

“The support shown by the community, parish and school have been overwhelming,” Mark said. “The prayers and encouragement really show the care and love people have for one another, especially when someone is down.”

Approximately $30,000 has been donated to help cover expenses related to Myles’ medical situation. In addition to individual donations from across the country, fundraisers have included a skate benefit at Foothills Ice Arena; a golf tournament organized by Mark’s employer, the city of Lakewood; and a dress-down day at Our Lady of Fatima School organized by principal Lisa Taylor.

“I cannot say enough about the generosity that has been shown to us—by so many people,” Mark said.

On April 25, Myles was selected to throw out the first pitch for the Colorado Rockies baseball team on Catholic Schools Night. At the game, Myles met several Rockies players and then-manager Clint Hurdle, and received autographed baseballs and a bat.

“I couldn’t help but think that even though his illness is regrettable, it has given him the chance to meet some phenomenal, tremendously caring people,” his father said. “We will treasure those memories for the rest of our lives.”

Family friend Father Jim Crisman, who resides at Our Lady of Fatima and is director of priestly vocations for the archdiocese, suggested that Myles receive the sacrament of confirmation to provide additional grace and strength for healing.

Myles was confirmed by Father Crisman on the afternoon of Jan. 29 with family and several classmates and teachers attending.

“It was very special for us,” Mark said. “The Spirit was movin’. There was a real sense of something powerful going on.”

Myles will continue to receive chemotherapy every four to six weeks through February 2010. This summer, he will spend time supporting his coach-pitch baseball team and catching up on schoolwork, with the help of his first-grade teacher Ann Sullivan.