Friday, April 26, 2024
Following a cancer diagnosis last year and battling the side effects from treatment, a partially paralyzed Trenton Grieb, 6, told his mom, “I can only do boring things, like eat and sleep. There’s nothing I can do that’s fun.”
That changed when he recently received a Xbox game system designed for those with special needs.
The game was provided by an out-of-state acquaintance of his mom and delivered by bikers with the American Legion Riders, Post 491.
“He really liked seeing all the motorcycles,” said Trenton’s mom, Tiffany. “It made us feel special to know there are people in this world who truly care about others.”
Trenton’s medical issues began around Halloween in 2017. “He was throwing up and really lethargic,” Tiffany explained.
He just wasn’t himself.
“For a long time, the doctors didn’t know what was wrong with him,” she said. “He just kept having tests, and tests and more tests.”
Eventually, a brain tumor was discovered in 2018. Trenton was diagnosed with medulloblastoma.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 500 children are diagnosed with medulloblastoma each year in the United States.
SUPER DAD
The world changed for the Grieb family, of Granbury, after the cancer diagnosis. Both Tiffany and her husband David work in the restaurant industry.
David left his job to become the full-time caregiver for his son who has frequent doctors appointments and other medical needs.
Trenton’s 10-year-old brother, Trevor, has been a good helper while Tiffany continues to work at Linda’s Southern Kitchen. She also started a home-based business through Vantel Pearls to help support the family.
It’s the bond between Trenton and David that brings a smile to mom’s face.
“Trenton and David have become very, very close during this time,” Tiffany said.
“He feeds him, he does everything for him,” Tiffany said of her husband.
Trenton calls his father “Super Dad.”
SETBACK FROM TREATMENT
The cancer treatment for Trenton was fast and furious. He had 30 radiation treatments and four-and-a-half cycles of chemotherapy.
As a side effect from treatment, he suffered necrosis, which is the death of healthy tissue. He lost the use of the legs and started kindergarten in a wheelchair. He then lost the use of his arms and upper body.
“It happened pretty fast, within a couple of months,” Tiffany said.
Trenton graduated from kindergarten in a wheelchair but hopes to be walking again when he starts first grade.
“Emma Roberson has been the most amazing school, with amazing support from the teachers, and he will be able to stay with his class for first grade,” Tiffany said.
CONDITION IMPROVES
Trenton started hyperbaric oxygen treatment and has been showing improvement with his muscles. He now has some movement with his toes and legs.
The treatment will be followed up with intensive inpatient treatment at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. With physical therapy, it’s expected that Trenton will be walking by the time school starts this fall.
“He is just a ray of sunshine for our family,” Tiffany beamed.
dschneider@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 255
