Letter reprinted from www.caringbridge.org , Pierson Estes website.  This is written by Kristy Estes, Piersons’ Mom.  Pierson and his story have touched our hearts and our prayers go out to him and his family.  Please read his story and remember him in your thoughts and prayers. 

 Just a glimpse of our story... It started just 2 and half weeks ago. Pierson had been complaining of migraines and would vomit after each complaint. After he would vomit he would say he felt better. The headaches worsened each day as did the vomiting. We took Pierson to our friend, Dr. Stephen Roberts, on Wednesday November 8th. We came to the conclusion that Pierson may have viral menengitis. The next day Pierson once again woke crying and yelling that his head hurt and then vomiting. We called Dr. Roberts with real concern. Dr. Robert's told us to go over to the Radiology Clinic for a CT scan. After only an hour at Radiology we were approached by a tech and told to go straight over to our Dr's office. We knew something wasn't right. We then made, what seemed like, the longest drive across town of our lives. We knew as soon as Stephen (Dr. Roberts) walked into the room the news was bad. I only remember hearing him say "Pierson has a large mass in the frontal lobe of his brain". That's when our lives got turned upside down! We were told to go home pack a bag and go straight to the emergency room at Children's Hospital in Birmingham. What just happened? Was this real? How, what, why? Our emotions exploded.

On our way to Birmingham, for a painful 50 minute drive, I just kept starring at this innocent, beautiful little boy in the back seat. We arrived at Children's and didn't stay long in the ER until we were admitted to the Pediatric ICU. The strangest thing happened next. About 7 years ago Tanner was airlifted to Children's Pediatric ICU after a throat surgery. I had memorized the unit and where Tanner stayed for 3 days. As we walked in to see Pierson later in the night for the first time, my heart jumped right out of my chest. There Pierson was in the same exact spot that Tanner was 7 years earlier. What were the odds?!

The next day (Friday) Pierson was scheduled for an MRI at noon. He was only gone for about 45 minutes. We sat in the waiting room for him when out came the Neurosurgeon's RN. I'll never forget the look on her face. She asked where Eric was and I told her he ran to grab a drink. She asked that one of the family members go get him right away. I wanted to throw up!This couldn't be good. I walked back into ICU and there sat the surgeon, a social worker, and the Hospital's Chaplin. What was I walking into all by myself, where was Eric?! I just froze! The surgoen seemed rushed to talk and began showing me the MRI without Eric by my side. There in front of me on this computer screen was a large mass in this tiny little scull. What was I looking at, this couldn't be Pierson's MRI. It was! I searched the room to find Eric as my heart began to ache, I felt sick, I cried, I was truly lost. Just then Eric walked in, he saw my face and he fell apart. We were told that they were prepping the operating room for Pierson and that the Tumor had to be removed now! Again I felt like what was happening? I left my seat and walked straight over to Pierson. I just fell over him and cried. He was already sedated for the surgery. The walk down to the OR was the most painful thing we had ever endured. They took my baby back and told us this would take at least 6 and 1/2 hours. They would call us in the waiting room every hour and half. The sugery began at 4:30p.m. and the painful wait began. The clock didn't seem to move, we paced the halls, we hid in quiet corners, we stopped by the filled waiting room to talk to friends and family. Each time the phone rang we ran to it. It was now midnight and they were still operating. What could be taking so long, it killed us to be so close yet so far away from him. Finally at 1:30am. Dr. Wellons (our ANGEL) emerged from the OR nearly exhausted. He let us know that Pierson had to be given blood but that he was doing well. He then told us that he may have speech issues or left side paralysis. We could accept that over the worse case scenerio. At about 2 a.m. I heard the most wonderful yelling going on. Pierson was demanding water. My heart skipped a beat. As he woke later in the morning he continued to protest that he wanted a drink of water. He then requested that me and dad bring him a cheeseburger with no onions, donghnuts, french fries, and chicken fingers. I wrote his order on a piece of paper (still in my wallet) and he signed it. It would be the next day before he got his request. Each time that I walked into ICU Pierson had the nurses in stitches. He was back to him old self!! Praise the Lord!! Only 4 days after his surgery we were going home!!!

Please go to www.caringbridge.org , Pierson Estes website.  to follow his progress.