When Cooper was 9 years old, he began to get headaches which wouldn’t go away. After a visit to their doctor, Cooper was admitted to hospital. Cooper’s migraines progressively became worse, and he became highly sensitive to noise and light.
When Cooper began to vomit more and more frequently, doctors ordered a MRI straight away. Cooper had a brain tumour, and was immediately rushed by emergency helicopter to Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.
Doctors in Brisbane confirmed his diagnosis – he had a rare brain tumour called non-germinomatous germ cell tumour.
The tumour was located in the centre of his brain, and it affected his pituritary gland, which regulates hormones. As a result of the tumour, Cooper’s growing and development have been impacted, and he has developed a rare type of diabetes. Cooper was partially blind in both eyes and was told it was unlikely his sight would ever return.
After his diagnosis, Cooper underwent six rounds of intense chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation, he was confined to the hospital for more than five weeks and endured many sleepless nights.
Suddenly, Cooper’s little body began to improve, and before too long, he amazed doctors and nurses when his eye-sight returned – he began to become the happy little boy he was before his diagnosis.
As a result of the tumour and its impact on his hormones and development, Cooper will require medication for the rest of his life. He currently has regular checkups, but is now back at school and enjoys watching football, as well as learning to play the guitar and drums.
