The Times Advocate, 2007-09-05, Page 12Crossroads
12
Times -Advocate
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Zurich teen survives brain tumour, creates art for others
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
ZURICH — "Don't dwell on the past,
look forward to the future. Everyday is a
new day," says 17 -year-old Zurich resi-
dent and brain tumour survivor Brent
Steckle.
While sitting down with Steckle, he
recalls being sick a lot as a child.
"I kept vomiting," says Steckle, explain-
ing as a child he never remembered not
having a headache, saying that vomiting
regularly minimized the pressure in his
head.
Throughout his childhood years,
Steckle's parents Cam and Kathy would
often bring him to doctors frequently.
"It was tough," says Steckle.
He remembers on numerous occasions
having to leave family functions or sport-
ing events because he was sick to his
stomach.
When Steckle was seven and a half, he
and his parents consulted with a different
doctor, sending him to a pediatrician who
immediately ordered a CT scan.
It was then that Steckle fmally found
out what was the matter — a brain
tumour.
Steckle explains, "This abnormal mass
of tissue was in the middle of my head,
blocking the flow of CSF fluid to my spine.
The fluid was pressing on my brain and
basically, I taught myself to vomit to
relieve the pressure in my head. They fig-
ured that I was born with this tumour
and that I had never lived a day without
having a headache."
After a confirmed diagnosis, Steckle
underwent shunt surgery. After spending
three or four days in the hospital, he
came out feeling a lot better.
A year and a half later, unexpected
news was received — Steckle's tumour
showed it had doubled in size and needed
to be biopsied to determine what type of
tumour it was.
Originally it was thought the tumour
would not grow.
After 10 hours of surgery and removing
85 per cent of the tumour which was for-
tunately benign, the surgery was over.
To remove the remaining 15 per cent
was not worth the risk as it was a difficult
location to get at.
At nine years old, Steckle began regular
MRI scans.
"Every six months, I have one to moni-
tor the tumour to see if it is growing.
They could have given me radiation
which would have killed the rest of the
tumour after the surgery eight years ago,
but it was not recommended due to the
side effects," says Steckle.
Recovering from the brain tumour took
A heroic journey —After years of stuggling with the side effects of a brain tumour, I7 -year-old Zurich resident Brentt
Steckle is keeping a positive outlook on life, creating art, hoping to become a chef and staying strong with the support of
family and friends around him.Above left Jeff Brown of HighstreetAsset Management poses with Steckle who created two
Inukshuk sculptures for a fundraiser. (photo/submitted)
time, says Steckle, comparing it to
rebooting your computer after it crashes.
"It takes time to reboot and that was
exactly how my brain was after the
surgery," he explains.
A few years ago, Steckle's spine curva-
ture became more severe.
Steckle explains that, "My scoliosis,
which like my brain tumour is a result of
the disease I was born with, neurofibro-
matosis, began to become worse."
Steckle then underwent two surgeries
for posterior and anterior scoliosis.
"The pain was excruciating and this
was a horrible experience. There are no
words to describe it," says Steckle.
"It was the worst thing that has ever
happened to me. Brain surgery was noth-
ing compared to this," Steckle adds.
Brent's Inukshuk
An inukshuk is a piece of Inuit art built to be eternally symbolic of
leadership, encouragement and to remind us of our
dependence upon one another.
1 chose each stone by how it fits in, supports the one above it
- - - aad the one below it.
This clearly portrays the importance ofhow people support
You throughout life.
An Inukshuk is a product of co-operation, a unique creation of life.
To the Buyer of my Inukshuk:
"I WISH YOU HEALTH)1ND HAPPINESS THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE.
YOUR PARTICIPATION HERE TODAY HAS MADE A CONTRIBUTION TO
SUPPORTING OTHERS LIKE ME, WHO APPRECIATE GREATLY YOUR KINDNESS AND
GENEROSITY." THANK You FOR CARING!!!
BRENT STECKLE
Three more surgeries were completed
after a staph infection had taken over.
"Pain and confusion took over my life. I
felt sick, weak and tired with hardly any
strength left to fight," says Steckle,
adding, "There were times I thought that
I wouldn't make it."
Thirty days later, Steckle came home
for good, on intravenous. He then gradu-
ated to oral antibiotics.
"Finally, in September of last year, 17
months from when this whole ordeal had
started, the metal in my back lifted due to
the infection. I underwent surgery to
remove the hardware from my back.
That was finally when I was relieved
from the pain." says Steckle.
"Jan. 1 this year, I stopped taking
antibiotics for good. I feel great and
thank God I am here," adds Steckle.
And throughout the years of pain
Steckle has endured, he's never give up
hope.
In fact, recently when asked to speak at
the Charity Golf Classic for Brain Tumour
Foundation of Canada and Epilepsy
Support Centre, the South Huron District
High School graduate opened his speech
with the following words of encourage-
ment.
"Everyone faces many challenges in life
and I don't think that there is anyone out
here that has not been confronted with
difficulties in their lives, be it at home,
work, with your health or life in general.
Challenges bring opportunities and I feel
that you must always be willing to accept
and deal with your problems and what-
ever comes your way," says Steckle.
Steckle was not only the guest speaker
at this fundraiser, but created two pieces
of art which auctioned off at $600 each,
totalling $1,200.
The Inukshuks Steckle made are pieces
of Inuit stone carvings that eternally sym-
bolize leadership, encouragement and a
reminder of our dependence on each
other.
Each Inukshuk auctioned off was
accompanied by a written letter from
Steckle, explaining the significance of the
sculptures.
The event was a success, raising
$74,000 through the day of golf, dinner
and live and silent auctions.
When asked how Steckle felt guest
speaking and creating art for the
fundraiser, he said, "I feel good."
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
representative Paul Mitchell described
Steckle's speech and artwork, "His
speech was as beautiful and awe-spiring
as his art. When he had finished telling
his story of the medical ordeals and pro-
cedure he has undergone, all in atten-
dance had been touched by the emotional
impact of his incredible journey of hope."
Steckle says these comments make him
"feel really good."
"We are so proud of him," explained his
mother Kathy, adding "he's truly an
inspiration to all of us."
Steckle is planning on returning to
SHDHS next year for an apprenticeship,
hopefully at Eddington's in Exeter.
He's not planning on fulfilling an art
career, but rather becoming a chef.
"I'm pretty focused on being a chef,"
says Steckle, who lives in Zurich with his
parents and brother Shawn and sister
Valerie.
And as for advice for others experienc-
ing a similar journey, Steckle advises to
"be strong. You don't need to worry. You
may be different but you're also special."
For more information on the Brain
Tumour Foundation of Canada visit
www. braintumour. ca