A second MRI revealed Jacob Cameron’s growth has increased in size by 20 per cent over the past four weeks. A biopsy was scheduled for Friday July 29th at noon. Results from the brain surgery will be available within a week. Despite receiving chemotherapy it is yet to be determined if the growth is cancerous; doctors have speculated that the growth may be a cyst caused by a parasite. Jacob was to receive radiotherapy in Denver, Colorado, as reported last week.

However, doctors at Colorado’s Children’s Hospital chose to refrain from treatment until an accurate diagnosis could be made. The biopsy, performed Friday, will allow doctors to conclude accurately whether the growth is cancerous or not. 

Jacob’s father, David Cameron, has been updating supporters about his son’s condition through a blog devoted to Jacob. On Monday he reported that Jacob was in high spirits and had a healthy appetite.  Despite being paralyzed on one side, and losing his hair due to the harshness of chemotherapy, Jacob was still behaving like any other five year old; it seemed as though nothing could slow him down.
By Wednesday Mr. Cameron had a different tone. He said Jacob’s energy had changed. On Tuesday night Jacob had vomited and was complaining of a headache. This is when doctor’s responded with a second MRI and subsequently scheduled a neurosurgery. 

With the optimism only a child could possess little Jacob has maintained a smile in the face of enormous challenges. The ordeal began when the five year old suffered a stroke, paralyzing the hand, arm and leg on one side of his body. An initial MRI revealed a four centimeter growth on his brain stem. Doctors in San Jose estimated Jacob had a year to live if untreated.

Faced with the devastating news the Cameron’s beach community of Nosara reached out to support the family with overwhelming results. On July 16 at Marlin Bills restaurant friends, family, locals and visitors of the beach town joined together to raise more than 10,000 dollars for Jacob and his family. 

While VON has been informed the family has applied for Medicaid, it is not certain if they will be accepted. Medicaid would help to alleviate a portion of the fees though many costs involved in Jacob’s treatment will remain the burden of the Cameron family. Without health insurance the financial burden of diagnosing and treating a brain tumor can reach upwards of 100,000 dollars. 

Support continues for Jacob and his family from within their Costa Rican community and without.  Members of the Cameron family have shown gracious appreciation for the support they are receiving. 

Donations may be sent directly to the Cameron family at:
David Cameron
3751 W 136 Avenue Unit O-1
Broomfield, CO 80023