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Leukemia patient uses iPad, Legos to keep grades up
Dan Eakin/Staff Photo - McKinney resident Michael Mistry works on one of several construction kits he has built in order to divert his focus from the pain caused by his leukemia treatments.
By Dan Eakin, daneakin@acnpapers.com
Ten-year-old Michael Mistry has spent more than 100 days in a hospital since he was diagnosed with leukemia last summer.
In spite of that, the young man continues to make the same good grades in school that he always has and maintains a positive attitude.
He credits much of his success to his iPod that he uses to communicate with teachers and classmates on Mondays and Tuesdays in the Gifted and Talented (GT) program at Webb Elementary School, and to the fact that he is able to focus on something other than the pain by building from complex construction kits. He also receives five hours of home schooling each week.
"It's almost like being there," Michael said.
Last June, Michael was admitted to Children's Hospital in Plano on the day after the last day of school at Valley Creek Elementary School, where he had just finished the fourth grade. He was hospitalized due to an intense fever, a low appetite and a rash. He was diagnosed with leukemia.
Since then, he has been in and out of the hospital about a dozen times, staying there between seven and 10 days each time.
He said Child Life specialists at the hospital would bring him books, video games, drawing pads, painting kits and Legos to help him focus on something other than his pain.
Michael zeroed in on the Legos construction kits, many of which have more than 1,000 pieces that need to be assembled in order to make a Star Wars structure, the Empire State building, an airplane or other creations.
When Michael goes out in public, he wears a mask to protect himself from getting any infections or diseases.
His father, Ram Mistry, explained, "His treatment includes chemotherapy which leaves his cell counts very low. For example, red blood cells are required to carry oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. When his counts are low, he is at high risk for catching viruses, infections and having other issues. If he catches a cold, he is hospitalized for about one and a half weeks."
Michael is nearing the end of a long period during which he had chemotherapy treatments almost every Wednesday for several months. He is doing much better now, but still has his low moments. His mother, Judy Ali-Mistry, said, "We never know how he is going to feel when he wakes up in the morning."
She said that on some mornings, he is glad to know that he will soon be visited by Maureen Rund, his teacher for home schooling. At other times, he seems to not feel up to studying.
"There has never been a day in which he did not eventually perk up and find something that he wanted to study," Rund said.
She said he particularly likes science and math.
Rund said that she stays in close contact with Michael's teachers at Valley Creek Elementary and that they discuss what grades Michael should get.
"There usually doesn't have to be much discussion," she said, smiling, "because he is such an excellent student."
In a paper Michael wrote entitled, "Kids coming together to support people in need," he expressed his gratitude to his many friends and relatives who have stood by him and encouraged him during the time of his illness.
He especially recalled how his older siblings, Andrew and Alicia, were with him at the hospital every day, as well as his parents "looking after almost every need."
"I really didn't have time to think about these acts of kindness from these people due to the pain and the condition of my mind from the intense treatment for the first six months," Michael said. "However, recently, I have started thinking about what these people did and continue to do."
To show their support and concern for Michael early this school year, 21 Valley Creek boys had their heads shaved. Michael had lost his hair because of the chemotherapy.
"Recently, as I read in the McKinney Courier-Gazette, I came across an article about boys at McClure Elementary in McKinney shaving their heads for Tyler, a kindergartner who had been recently diagnosed with cancer," Michael said. "Most of these boys were in the fifth grade and really did not know Tyler. However, they were willing to show their support.
"This article reminded me of my experience, and I decided to further investigate by interviewing the boys."
Michael and his mother went to McClure Elementary last Friday and visited with several of the boys who had shaved their heads. Michael immediately earned their support and friendship. He openly shared about the pain he had suffered during the last several months and the medications used to combat the pain.
Teachers praised Michael and his mother for offering such insight, and said it would help the McClure students to better understand what Tyler is going through.
Laura Harkey, McClure librarian, said, "The teachers and I had tears in our eyes listening to these kids. It was intense as well as beautiful."
Michael said he believes that the support of relatives and friends is very important in helping someone overcome a serious illness.
"I believe that it is human nature to pull together in times of need," Michael said.
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