Ricky Knight was a healthy, athletic intelligent 11-year-old who was exceling in school and sports when he was diagnosed with what would be identified as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in his right parietal lobe. He had several severe headaches in December and January and then a seizure on April 27, 2007 which landed him in Johns Hopkins Hospital.
He had a surgical biopsy on April 30 followed by a resection on May 25 during which 75% of the tumor was removed. Dr. Weingart from Hopkins did a wonderful job and Ricky was home within days of each surgery.
We never really came to terms with what it meant to be diagnosed with GBM. Maybe it was denial but we remained hopeful throughout Ricky’s 13 month course of treatment. One reason was Ricky himself. He was strong and active. Ricky played baseball in the spring of 2007, attended a basketball camp in the middle of radiation treatments, and even played football in the fall. Ricky’s oncologist, Dr. Kenneth Cohen, was wonderful with Ricky and to our family. We knew we were in very capable hands. Ricky went through the standard six week radiation coupled with a clinical trial that involved arsenic trioxide chemotherapy twice a week. We were thrilled when his follow-up MRI on September 24 showed NO VISIBLE SIGNS of the tumor. Unfortunately, Ricky’s remission was short lived and by January of 2008 he was back in Johns Hopkins for another surgical resection. Gliadel wafers were placed the tumor bed. Ricky also received Temozolomide and eventually CPT-11 and Avastin but nothing could stop the rampant growth of the tumor.
Ricky lost his battle on June 2, 2009 at the age of 12. Throughout his battle, Ricky was upbeat, happy and courageous. He was an amazing boy and I will never cease to be amazed by the spirit and love he showed in his short life.
Throughout Ricky’s illness I thought, “If we can just hold on, doctors will find a cure…” I still believe that a cure is possible which is why the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) is so important. They fund the critical research into new, safer, more effective treatments. In addition, they have an excellent scientific advisory.
We are raising money in Ricky’s memory for CBTF that will be directed particularly to research into a cure for pediatric GBM.
Written by Rose Napolitano, in memory of Ricky, 2009.
See ‘Second Annual Ricky Knight Memorial Basketball Tournament‘ a fundraiser held in honor and memory or Ricky.