Young survivor looks forward to weekend with Thon dancers

By LAUREN REBECCA NYE
Collegian Staff Writer

Almost every parent fears it. And almost every child experiences it. "It" is the "terrible twos," the year or so of a child's life characterized by uncontrollable behavior, potty-training and temper tantrums.

At least one child, however, has never truly experienced the stereotypical "terrible twos." Instead, he defined his own. Diagnosed at the age of 2 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Sean Laird of Annville spent his terrible twos undergoing blood transfusions and chemotherapy.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the disease commonly known as "cancer of the blood," is characterized by the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells and accounts for half the cancer cases in children under 15. For Sean, now 5, spinal taps and bone marrow aspirations became regular procedures in his aggressive fight against the disease.

Having acquired the disease very early in life, Sean never truly knew what it was like to feel well, and therefore made quite a complacent patient, said his mother, Teresa. Sean's mother and father, Robert, consider Sean to be lucky, for unlike many fighting leukemia, he never experienced long hospital stays or severe infections.

"There were times, however, during the chemo when I would look at Sean and think, 'This is not my child,' " Teresa said. "He had mood swings which changed from anger and frustration to complete and genuine sweetness."

Brothers Ryan, 10, and Robbie, 13, also had emotional battles during Sean's disease. Robbie understood the threat to Sean's health. Although Ryan, who was 7 at the time, worried about his brother, he was sometimes jealous of the attention given to Sean.

Now in the maintenance stage of his treatment, Sean receives a low dosage of chemotherapy only once a month. Doctors expect Sean to finish his chemotherapy this September. Supported by the Four Diamonds Fund, the Lairds are grateful for the financial and emotional aid they have received.

"We are just dumbfounded by the amount of money that this disease could and does cost families," Teresa said.

The Lairds also attribute much of Sean's success to the care of his physician, Dr. Barbara Miller, and the "second family" staff of the Hershey Medical Center, as well as the support of his family and the community. This fall, Sean will start kindergarten. Until then, he fills his days with the adventures of Spiderman and Sesame Street. Among Sean's favorite heroes is the Nittany Lion, whom he looks forward to seeing again at the 1999 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

Last year was Sean's first time at Thon. His doctor advised the Lairds the previous year to postpone their trip until Sean finished a difficult transition in medications.

This year, however, this Thon veteran is excited to return.

"It's cool," Sean said. "I danced a lot."

Just as few children remember their "terrible twos," the Laird family also hopes Sean will grow up with little memory of his battle with leukemia.