A Real Cancer Fighter

from The 'Ville - March 2023

A Crown Jewel Lost

Community aids Northville boy’s struggle against life-threatening diagnosis

By Larry O’Connor

The family of a 5-year-old Northville boy amid a nine-month cancer fight is breathing a little easier thanks to an outpouring of community support spearheaded by the nonprofit outfit Main Street League.

“I’m just so thankful,” said father Max Zammitt.

His son Hudson is home, but is undergoing treatment for medulloblastoma, rare cancer that affects 500 children a year in the U.S. The boy has a threein-four chance of beating the deadly disease.

To achieve those odds, though, the Zammitts have been through the wringer.

In June, Hudson underwent surgery at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital to remove a malignant brain tumor, diagnosed after the family first noticed the preschooler’s right eye wasn’t moving. Doctors needed 12 hours to delicately remove the golf ball-sized growth near the cerebellum.

Afterward, the preschooler endured a grueling, six-month stretch of intensive radiation and chemotherapy at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. to eradicate remaining cancer cells.

The Zammitts’ story is not only one of conquering medical hurdles, but the overlooked financial and logistical struggles of keeping a family intact during such crises.

The boy’s mother Abbey remained with Hudson during the half-year ordeal, lodging at a nearby Ronald McDonald House. Meanwhile, father Max, and siblings, Maggie, 2, and Emmerson, 8, managed to visit on weekends and holidays.

That is where the Main Street League stepped in.

The family’s health insurance covered medical costs and St. Jude Hospital doesn’t bill for treatment, travel or housing. Even amid those ideal circumstances, the Zammitts faced hardships.

Max runs a family-owned trucking business, CMA Heavy Haul, with his sister Clare. He missed work and spent thousands to fly and lodge himself and two children at Memphis area Airbnbs during monthly visits.

The Northville-based nonprofit lent a hand, raising close to $6,500 through a “Healing Hud” online effort: www.mainstreetleague.com/ healing-hud.

“So, it's not just cut and dry when it comes to, ‘Oh, you're sick and getting those covered costs,” said Lauren Romeo, who started Main Street League a decade ago. “It's gas money, it's lodging, it's travel … it's beyond what people would expect and then there is time off work.”

The Zammitts’ plight struck a nerve with Romeo who has a son also named Hudson, 11. Romeo also ensured Hudson’s siblings would have a Christmas as she and other Main Street League members provided gifts.

Life Changes

The Northville family’s life unraveled by a simple observation at the Sunday breakfast table.

While pouring cereal, Max Zammitt noticed his son’s right eye wasn’t moving. The family contacted a pediatrician, who suggested Hudson undergo an MRI “just to rule out a few things,” the father recalled.

The couple of 10½ years took Hudson in the following day where a scan revealed the tumor. The growth was restricting cranial fluid, suppressing his right eye movement.

Upon reflection, Hudson exhibited signs of being in distress for five or six months before the cancer diagnosis, the father said. The boy would have vomiting spells once a month, which the parents wrote off to flu and viruses going around amid a Covid pandemic.

The boy’s white-knuckle, 12hour surgery was but the first turn in a harrowing medical journey. The Zammitts’ most vexing decisions laid ahead in their son's ensuing treatment.

UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center and St. Jude offered proton-beam radiation, which is precise in destroying cancer cells but whose adverse side effects are long-lasting.

U-M oncologists tried to dissuade the family from going the aggressive proton radiation route, citing Hudson’s age, Max Zammitt said. The boy turned 5 in January.

The Zammitts opted for St. Jude, which treats about 200 children a year diagnosed with medulloblastoma. The facility uses pioneering proton radiation on those as young as 3.

“You only get one shot,” the father said. “So, we felt like St. Jude was doing everything they could. All the pros and cons they listed were just too important.”

Nearly three weeks after surgery, Hudson started radiation therapy at St. Jude. He underwent 30 proton-beam treatments during a monthand-half span.

During the first month, radiologists treated the entire brain and spine area. They focused the last 10 sessions on the tumor's former location.

After Hudson endured physically debilitating radiation, he rested for two weeks to regain his weight and recoup white blood cells to prepare for a punishing bout of chemotherapy.

Hunter underwent four cycles of chemo, which included 10-12 blood transfusions between sessions to replenish his white blood cells and platelets. Hair loss and persistent vomiting became part of his daily existence.

Hunter’s pituitary gland — which produces hormones to regulate growth, metabolism and reproduction — was “wiped out” in the process. The boy faces the possibility of losing 4 to 6 inches in height and having a learning disability, his father said.

Fighting Through It

The tradeoffs are worth it compared to removing the tumor "and just waiting for the cancer to return," said Max, whose son continues to visit St. Jude every three months.

“You learn when they talk about cancer fighters, it's true,” said the father, who added his son remained upbeat despite constant nausea and feeling exhausted. "They just fight through it."

The couple has been uplifted by the unwavering support received from neighbors and those at their church, Northville Christian Assembly of God.

Romeo became aware of the Zammitts’ situation after the family’s neighbor, Virginia Goble, contacted her. Goble also provided meals for Max and the two children.

"I can't imagine your life changing overnight with a sick child, and the time and financial commitment involved," said Romeo, who also has a daughter Charley, 14. "Most families aren't prepared for that.

“They see it on TV, but when it happens to you, that's a whole other story. Most people are also afraid to ask for help and they don't know how to utilize the support of such a wonderful community as we have."

Main Street League’s goal is "to lift the community from within.” The nonprofit has helped Northville folks get out of many fixes, including with back rent or emergency vehicle repairs. School social workers and counselors alert the organization to those in need, Romeo said.

Main Street League depends on in-kind contributions but also conducts a handful of annual fundraisers. This month, the group hosted its Diaper Drive at Adorn, 118 E. Main. The league’s Farm to Table and Witches Ride in the fall are marquee moneymakers.

The Zammitts are emotionally zapped from the nine-month roller-coaster ride but are grateful.

“I still feel pretty young and haven't seen a lot of life and never encountered that before, where a bunch of people who don't know me want to help us out,” said Max, 35. “Lauren and the whole Main Street League, to pour out themselves into this as they did, it's just awesome.”

To help the Zammitt family, visit www.mainstreetleague. com/healing-hud. There is also a GoFundMe set up for Hudson. To contribute, visit www. gofundme.com/f/healinghud.