But a trip to the Optometrist in February and subsequent MRI turned the Norquay family’s world upside down.
Mum Melissa was concerned with James’ excessive drinking and increasing lethargy and had already had him screened for Diabetes, among other things, but all of his blood test results had come back normal.
Two days after his MRI, James was in hospital being prepped for surgery to remove tumours from his pituitary and pineal glands.
He has now spent the past nine months at the Brisbane Royal Children’s Hospital with his mum Melissa and 19 month old brother Maxwell.
“The surgery was unsuccessful, so I’ve now had chemotherapy and radiation therapy and things are looking positive,” James said.
“The tumour has damaged my optical nerve, so I have no sight in my right eye and very little in my left eye. My pituitary gland doesn’t function anymore so I will need 100% care.”
James has just finished six weeks of radiation therapy and speaking with wisdom beyond his years said, “I’m really lucky because I got one of the easiest tumours to treat. I’m a bit nervous but it’s the same as everything so far – after it’s done I wonder why I was so afraid. It’s just the mind getting overwhelmed.”
And while he is out of the woods for now, James was only allowed home from hospital three weeks ago and life will never be the same for the close-knit single parent family. James has lost most of his eyesight and the steroids he needs to take have caused his weight to balloon.
A fundraiser for the young cancer patient will be held at the Peregian Springs Golf Club on Sunday 23 October, starting at 1:00pm.
The day is organised by Coolum OzTag and features a ‘reverse auction’ – with the last ticket standing winning the major $5000 cash prize.
The afternoon’s entertainment will be provided by ‘The Pre-Loves’ duo, with lights refreshments (limited bar tab) and gourmet finger food provided as part of ticket price. Plenty of door prizes and other major raffles prizes (including Whitsunday’s and other accommodation prizes) will be on offer throughout the fun afternoon.
Tickets $100 pp – bookings are limited, so secure your place now. Contact Kim Mathison on 0407 235 423. All profits will go to Coolum’s Norquay family.