Steps are currently being taken for 15-year-old Meadowbrook High School student Phillip Mitchell, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October last year, to get medical treatment overseas.
Angella Mitchell, a teacher, said that her son requires radiotherapy treatment and she is grateful for the opportunity to get treatment overseas.
She explained that for three years, her son was being treated by a doctor for migraine headaches.
She said that her son fell seriously ill at school last October. She took him to another doctor who recommended that he be taken immediately to the hospital, where he had surgery the very next day. He had another surgical procedure done days later.
A third surgical procedure took place in November last year.
“It is heart-rending to watch my son in this condition. I have contacted the Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York and was told that I should make arrangements to take him there as soon as possible,” Phillip’s mother said.
“I have to do all I can to help my son,” she said.
The mother of four said that although she does not have the money, she has to do something for her only son.
She said prayer, encouraging words, and her faith in God have kept her going.
“Mommy, please don’t put yourself in debt because of me,” Phillip said in response to his mother’s plan to seek a loan to assist with his medical attention.
“You know you cannot afford it,” Phillip said.
Trusting God
One of Phillip’s wishes is to get better so that he can continue going to school.
He said that he felt very sad at times, knowing that he could not attend school and do the activities he was accustomed to doing daily.
He said he was trusting God to heal him.
Mitchell said that she had to take leave from school to take care of Phillip.
Sympathetic residents in the St Catherine community where they live have come forward to help on hearing of Phillip’s plight.
The residents have opened account number 95505-530262 in Phillip Mitchell’s name at Scotiabank’s Portmore branch in St Catherine and are pleading with community members and well-wishers to assist in the fight against his illness.
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Met, for those who do not have access to Scotia Bank, are there any other avenues to contribute?