Gatewood celebrates 20 years after life-threatening tumor

Jeremy Gatewood with parents Garvin and Theresa

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On Aug. 9, 1989, Jeremy noticed the symptoms of what turned out to be a large brain tumor. Only 15 at the time, the young man and his family endured two months of rigorous testing and treatment.

"I had mowed the yard that afternoon," Jeremy recalled. "It was hot, so I was going to take a bath and rest after I was done. As I was cleaning up, my left side went numb."

The numbness subsided briefly, but came back even stronger and hour later, prompting Jeremy's parents, Garvin and Theresa, to take him to the emergency room.

With something clearly not right, but beyond the realm of knowledge of the initial doctors and tests, a cat scan was scheduled for Jeremy. After visiting some of the top doctors in the area with the most advanced (at the time) equipment at the renowned Semmes-Murphy Clinic and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, tests revealed Jeremy had a tumor the size of a lemon in the center of his brain.

The tumor was located on his pineal gland, which produces melatonin, a hormone that affects the sleep patterns and seasonal functions of the body. The tumor also caused and led to a number of other medical conditions. Jeremy also was diagnosed with diabetes insipidus, a condition in which the body does not produce enough antidiuretic hormone, leading to increased thirst. He also developed Parinaud's Syndrome, which limits the eyes' ability to gaze upward, as well as the pupils' response to light, and was found to be suffering from hypothyroidism.

At the young age of 15, Jeremy suddenly found himself in a fight for his life. He began undergoing radiation treatments just a week before Labor Day. While many of his classmates dreaded the return to school, Jeremy wanted nothing more than a return to the way things had been before his illness presented itself.

Even today, any condition affecting the brain typically is considered serious. Going back 20 years, the threat increases substantially.

"They didn't give us a lot of hope going in," Theresa said.

But fortune smiled on the family in the midst of all the testing and emotional strain.

"We were told there was one type of tumor that would respond to radiation," Jeremy said. "Fortunately, that was the kind of tumor I had."

Jeremy underwent aggressive radiation treatments at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. He and Theresa made the journey to Memphis every weekday, returning home that evening. Jeremy would arrive at school hours early to go over the classwork his friends would learn that afternoon when he was on his way to treatment. Neither he nor his mother, an elementary teacher, had to miss a day of school during the two months of treatment.

Jeremy completed his radiation therapy on Oct. 9, 1989. The treatment was a complete success. For 10 years, he returned St. Jude once a year for testing as part of a study, making his last visit in July 1999.

Today, Jeremy recalls the entire ordeal and the accompanying feelings with the clarity only held by those who have had to contend with life-threatening situations.

"I was scared to death," he said. "I did my best to stay positive and deal with everything that was going on, but that kind of thing scares you. The first thing I did when I found out was pray. I knew it was all in God's hands and that He'd take care of me -- and He did."

While the entire ordeal was difficult, it was made easier by the family's strength, as well as the support of caring friends.

"I had plenty of support from everyone," Jeremy said. "It felt like the entire community was there for me. So many people prayed for me and checked on me. It really was something special."

Theresa's fellow teachers would take food over each evening so the family could enjoy a home-cooked meal when returning from each treatment. Jeremy's classmates, spurred by lifelong friend Jill Scobey, got together and took him a brand new television for his room. The investment was a sound one, as the television worked well until earlier this year, very nearly reaching the 20-year mark itself.

The memories of everyone who helped and cared for him during the ordeal remain fresh in his mind, as do the other children who went or are going through similar events.

"I think everyone should go and sit an hour at St. Jude. It's not a sad place. You'd think it would be kind of a downer, but it's not. If only everyone could see the people and the good that they do. It's an amazing place."

Jeremy graduated from Clay County Central in 1993. He attended Arkansas State University, where he received an Associate Degree in General Studies. He lives in Jonesboro, having worked for Sears for the last 16 years. He returns to Rector nearly every weekend, as he still considers the small community his home.

"This is my hometown and it always will be," he says with a smile. "This is where the people who matter to me the most are from."