A kid’s fight against cancer turns into a family affair

Editor’s note: This is the second story in a series profiling local cancer survivors, leading up to the Relay for Life at Barstow High School on May 17 and 18. The Relay raises money for the American Cancer Society. For more information, call Renita Wickes at 760-447-2079.

BARSTOW — Stacy Hogue vividly remembers walking through the double doors of the children's hospital in Loma Linda.

It was July 10, 2007 and Stacy got her first picture of what her and her 12-year-old son, who was suspected to have leukemia, were up against. Through those doors, Stacy saw children of all ages and in all stages of cancer. Then she waited.

They waited nearly two hours, surrounded by suffering children, for the news.

“When I walked through those doors, I saw mostly kids that were bald, with black rings around their eyes. You get a real idea of what you are facing,” Stacy said.

For Stacy, the news was part a relief and part a shock. Her son’s cancer, B-Cell lymphoma/leukemia, was treatable but it was still cancer. For Justin the news would change him and his families’ life.

“I would like to take better care of myself,” Justin said. “That made me realize how important taking care of yourself is. This whole experience has made me grow up faster.”

Justin underwent chemotherapy treatment on Wednesday, which sometimes leaves him quarantined. Friends and family are unable to drop by at his house because of a weakened immune system. Sometimes he has to wear a mask to protect his weakened body from the world around him.

But while Justin fights, the rest of his family has stepped in to help.

When Stacy had to tend to Justin for the first 40 days in the hospital, her 17-year-old son, Timothy Levens, became a pseudo parent to the large family. Levens often prepared breakfast and made sure all seven children did their chores and homework.

“It didn't really bother me,” Timothy said. “At first, it was really hard to deal with. However, I just didn't focus on it much. I just wanted Justin home. I didn't focus on the amount of the responsibility too much. I just knew I was making it easier for the family.”

Stacy and the rest of the family pulled themselves together and rallied around each other to ease the burden of the powerful illness.

“It really changes your perspective, and makes you realize what is not important,” Stacy said. “That’s why we no longer stress over things we can't change.”

According to Justin's father, James Hogue, the whole family took everything in stride. After the initial shock, the medications, the sacrificing of Stacy’s job, and the family roles that changed started to become routine.

“When he was first diagnosed, everything was at a little faster pace for everyone involved,” James said. “Once the shock was over, part of my job was to help keep everyone stabilized. We really try to keep everything positive.”

According to Stacy, Justin has applied his quiet and reserved demeanor to battling the disease. He has fought an infection of his appendix and had emergency surgery without complaint.

“I don't know how to explain it,” Stacy said. “Justin doesn't complain if something hurts. He just seems to take everything in stride and nothing seems to bother him.”

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4122 or jason_blasco@link.freedom.com