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| FCHS sophomore is thankful for messages, prayers |
Lucas Sechrist holds his dog, Ramon, in his hospital bed. |
Friday, September 25, 2009
By JOEL TURNER - Staff Writer
Lucas Sechrist, an honor student at Franklin County High School, has been diagnosed with a relatively rare cancer of the connective tissues.
He is the son of Michael and Leslie Sechrist, who live on Thompson Ridge Road in Ferrum.
Sechrist is a sophomore at FCHS who was recently diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma.
It is a cancer among children and teenagers in which cancer cells attach to muscle tissue, intestines and other tissue.
Friends of the family are urging the community to show support for Lucas and his family as he undergoes chemotherapy treatment, according to Stephanie Lovelace, a teacher assistant in Franklin County schools.
Sechrist's illness and diagnosis came quickly during the past month.
"I was just living my life, having fun at summer camp and starting school as a sophomore," he wrote in his journal on his CaringBridge website.
"I began to bruise easily and felt tired over about the last month," he wrote. "I also developed some lumps my parents thought were odd."
Sechrist went to the doctor with what he thought was sinus congestion and allergies. He missed a week of school, and by Sept. 11 he was in a lot of pain.
After tests during the next few days and surgery for a biopsy, his cancer was diagnosed.
Sechrist is hospitalized at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he has completed his first round of chemotherapy.
He has been walking and getting physical therapy.
"I feel pretty good," he said.
Sechrist said he has been invited into a teen support group and also the cap the kids program.
"Iļ¾ get to choose three celebrities and they send me autographed caps," he said.
"All my doctors have said I'm doing well," he said.
Sechrist said he has had many visitors with cards and gifts.
"My parents say I look (almost) myself again," Sechrist wrote in his journal. "We are waiting for the Drs. to tell us what my future treatment plans are."
His friends are sending him email messages on his guestbook page. Sechrist said he enjoys them. More than 215 friends had sent messages by Thursday morning.
"I really enjoy getting all the entries in the guestbook," Sechrist wrote. "Thanks you for all the thoughts, prayers and concerns."
Email messages can be sent to Lucas at www.caringbridge.org/visit/lucassechrist, Lovelace said. Then click on guestbook to send a message. |
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