Here is Curt England's short story by his father Vic England written on December 2, 2011:
How can I begin a story that has yet to be concluded? Curt is a wonderful person, full of life and has a Spirit that has to be passed on. He loves everyone and just about everybody loves him. He sees nothing bad in people and takes life with ease even though he is an honor student and a Master Concert Pianist and love to play video games. In October of 2010 Curt came home and said he pulled his left hamstring muscle. We took him to the pediatrician and he was advised to seek rehabilitation and professional physical therapy. This was offered by the high school so Curt went to the high school trainer for several weeks. The hamstring improved somewhat, but by Christmas time Curt was was walking with a dramatic limp. We took him back to the doctor and an appointment was made to see a neurologist. The appointment came in early January and we were advised to see another specialist at the medical center. That doctor was very busy and said it would be several weeks before he could see Curt. The Neurologist we had seen earlier kept calling our home to see what was happening with Curt's appointment, finally the Neurologist to us at 3 PM to take Curt to Texas Children's Hospital Ememergency Room. We were there within the hour and the battle began.
Curt was given an MRI and we were told that a large Tumor was found in his Pelvis. Curt was admitted to the hospital and several tests were performed. At first we were told that the Tumor was Benign and that removal of the Tumor and the surgery involved would be difficult but not so bad as to cause Curt any permanent damage. The Doctor on the case was very good, Dr. Rex Marco but he was not totally convinced that the Tumor was benign. Another biopsy was done and were were hit with the news that the Tumor had some malignant cells and they were growing rapidly. Within two weeks Curt's health diminished drastically. We as a family and Curt were stunned, but Curt took everything in stride, never showing any fear or negative emotion. Chemotherapy began and the process of going to the hospital and being admitted for five to seven days at a time began. Finally a date was given to remove the Tumor. That date was April 28, 2011. Curt has been in the hospital since that day and it has been a very difficult road for my Wonderful Son and the rest of the family. Cancer affects the entire family. Curt's older brother Carl was going to play college baseball but gave that up because of the situation with his brother. The surgery on April 28th lasted 36 hours and was done at Methodist Hospital by Dr. Rex Marco and Dr. Michael Klebuck and other medical geniuses, because Texas Children's Hospital did not have all the equipment or the medical teams necessary to accomplish the major operation. Curt has an operation that has never been done on any other human being and it was all going fairly well.He stayed at Methodist Hospital for five weeks and was transferred back to Texas Children's Hospital.
In September of 2011 Curt became very ill and was battling to keep on going. He had gone through a 17th birthday party, which was a great success in June of 2011 and many Houston Astro's and Houston Dynamo players had come to see him. He once told me he wished he was just a regular kid, at home doing what kids his age do instead of having these people come to see him. Don't get him wrong he loved seeing players and getting autographs,baseballs, hats, bats and Jerseys. Curt was once give a jersey by another parent that said Curt Shilling of the Boston Red Sox was his hero because he pitched a game injured and was able to win the game. But this parent told my Curt that he was more of a hero than Curt Shilling ever was and gave my Curt a Boston Red Sox Jersey that was worn by Curt Shilling during that game. What a gift and an honor that was. U.S. Navy Seal Team 8 has been communicating with Curt and they sent him many nice items, to include a Seal Team 8 shirt signed by all the men. The sayings on that shirt are fantastic!
Well Curt came down with pneumonia in September and was taken to surgery to acquire a sample of the mucous in his lungs. He had a stroke during that time and it has been a nightmare since then. We were told that Curt, my precious Son would not survive this , what a feeling that is. Let me tell you it was a most difficult time, seeing your child in bed with his eyes taped shut and being kept alive by a ventilator. After a few days the Doctor staff came in to advise us of disconnecting the ventilator and letting Curt go. Carl his brother yelled out "no way and that we would not consider that for a long time" My wife and I verbalized the same sentiment. Curt has always been a fighter during this Cancer Illness and we wanted him to try to continue the fight. It takes a lot of emotion for me to write this and if i were doing it by hand there would be wet spots from tears on the paper!!!
Well everyone Curt has rebounded and is now out of the Pediatric ICU and on the 10th floor room 11 of Texas Children's Hospital. He has accomplished many major steps towards recovery and they are most definitely miracles from Jesus Christ. We were told he would not be able to breathe on his own, well he is. We were told he had no Gag Reflex and would never be able to eat, the Gag Reflex came back and he is eating. We were told he cold not swallow properly and thus eating would be very difficult because of choking, but Curt passed the Swallow test and drinks and eats well when he wants to. We were told he would function only minimally if at all and only say two or three letter words if that. Curt talks pretty good and can carry on a decent conversation, again when he wants to. A nurse was ending her shift and was asking Curt to tell her goodbye, Curt looked at her for a while and finally said"maybe". He is is back to joking with the staff, what a boy! We were also told that he would be paralyzed on his right side but he is getting movement and even resists you moving his right arm or leg. Curt is most definitely a miracle and has battled like no one I have ever seen or heard of. Other kids on the Cancer Floor look to him for guidance and confidence and love to visit him. He inspires people on a daily basis and is mine and many other peoples hero. I as a retired Army Officer gave Curt the Meritorious Service Medal for his extreme ability to fight and never give up attitude. Curt now talks on the telephone and at night prays out loud with us. He recites the Lords Prayer very well, amazing for what he has endured!
He still has a long road to recovery but with the correct help and therapy he will do magnificent things in life, The good Lord willing. He needs visitors from his school and anyone else who wants to see him. Evenings only please and only healthy visitors. He will be transferred to TIRR, Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research soon. I as his Dad wish great things for him and our family.
CURT is Amazing.
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