EVERYDAY Identifying people in need in our community. Ezra King, is the 4-year-old son of Woodstock police Officer Travis King, and his wife, Ramona. At 18 months old, Ezra fell and injured his wrist, and was taken to the emergency room. Out of an abundance of caution, doctors ordered a CT scan. “We never expected the CT scan to come back abnormal. Doctors discovered a very large mass in his brain,” Ramona said. “We were transported directly to Scottish Rite, where doctors were waiting for us. By early evening, we were admitted and, in the days following, we learned that our seemingly normal, healthy son had a tumor the size of a softball pressing into his brain stem, growing upward in the area of his optic nerves and basal ganglia. He had extreme pressure and a loss of space for spinal fluid. A craniotomy and partial brain resection were immediately scheduled.” Ezra was diagnosed with Glioma, Grade II. Glioma is a slow-growing cellular mutation that is less likely to grow and spread, but more likely to come back after treatment. Because his tumor has a rare cellular mutation, there is currently no known chemotherapy treatment. His tumor was located in his midbrain, making it difficult to completely remove. Surgeons were able to remove 85% of his tumor in 2018. “When Ezra awoke after surgery, we learned that the operation and trauma to his brain stem had caused a loss of speech, paralysis of his right side and a loss of right-sided field of vision in both eyes. We spent several weeks in intensive rehab, and have been in therapy ever since to help him regain functions,” Ramona said. Two and a half years from his diagnosis, doctors continue the difficult challenge of arresting Ezra’s tumor growth. He completed a 68-week clinical trial last December, having significant tumor progression at his 67th dose. With the tumor now as large as when it was first discovered, Ezra has begun a third plan of treatment, with two more toxic chemo drugs. 44
AROUND CANTON | December 2020
Travis is serving Woodstock as a policeman. Ramona has to stay at home to care for Ezra and daughters Amy and Ellen. Ramona also is a food photographer, and is in a training program to write a book with Proverbs 31 Ministries. “We are lucky to have Travis and the King family as part of the WPD family. Travis is a great officer whose love for our community shines through each day,” Woodstock Chief of Police Calvin Moss said. “The past two years have been filled with joyful memories and a wonderful quality of life, despite persistent tumor growth and grueling treatments. Ezra’s speech improves every day, and he is currently in intensive robotic therapy to regain use of his right extremities. We are told that he will continue to be partially blind and that it could grow worse,” Travis said. “We pray each day for a new drug to be developed that will shrink his brain tumor and put him on the cancer survivor list. As his tumor grows, he loses more functions and develops more issues. He teaches us every day how to be strong, how to persevere and how to have fun doing it.” Needless to say, this family needs support from the community they serve. There is no limit to what parents will do to save their child, but the financial impact is overwhelming for them. The Woodstock Public Safety Department held a car show fundraiser at Woodstock First Baptist on Nov. 21 in support of the King family and Ezra, but more is needed. We share with our compassionate county to rally around the King family to encourage them through this difficult battle. Ezra’s dad says he teaches them every day how to be strong, how to persevere. Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in your community, e-mail aaeverydayangels@gmail.com
