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Ben Botelho

When Ben Botelho was 14, he felt a lump on the right side of his neck. It didn’t hurt, but it didn’t go away either. Maria Botelho, Ben’s mother, took him to a pediatrician who prescribed antibiotics and told them to watch the lump closely. When it didn’t go away with antibiotics, Ben’s pediatrician did a biopsy of the lump. It revealed that Ben had lymphoma. The Botelhos were immediately referred to Backus Children’s Hospital for treatment.

“The doctors set up a protocol of what needed to be done. We were given two choices and we opted for the shorter, more intense of the two protocols. Ben started chemotherapy in March 2005 and it was completed in August 2005,” said Maria.

Throughout the five month treatment, Ben was repeatedly in and out of the hospital. He suffered from nausea and headaches from the chemo. At one point, he began having seizures and ended up in the pediatric intensive care unit. Looking back on the ordeal, Maria said the entire treatment process was mostly a blur, but a few key moments stand out in her mind. One was Ben’s fifteenth birthday, which he celebrated in the hospital.

“Every shift came in and sang happy birthday to him. The residents came and sang too. Then, the child-life specialist brought in a cake,” said Maria. She was touched by the effort the hospital team made to ensure that Ben felt special on his birthday.

Maria also remembers how everybody at Backus Children’s Hospital answered her questions thoroughly, and thoughtfully. She asked a lot of questions and the team always kept her informed of what was happening with Ben.

And, she remembers that the team was extremely accommodating. They allowed Ben’s friends to visit him. They let him go home to attend his older sister’s college graduation. Ben was even able to run for class treasurer from the hospital. He won.

“I can’t say enough about the nurses, doctors, interns, residents, the people who cleaned the rooms, the people who cooked the meals, they were all amazing and wonderful. I can’t imagine how they do it all the time and stay so upbeat,” said Maria.

The Botelhos are very happy that Backus Children’s Hospital was able to provide a high caliber of treatment close to home. They’re even happier that Ben has been able to pick up where he left off as a busy teenager. He plays soccer, is active in his church, plays guitar for a youth group band, and is a volunteer youth soccer coach. He also takes the time to advocate for Backus Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN).