{"id":12799,"date":"2012-09-03T10:33:05","date_gmt":"2012-09-03T15:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/?p=12799"},"modified":"2012-09-03T10:33:05","modified_gmt":"2012-09-03T15:33:05","slug":"lehigh-acres-boy-with-tumor-gets-communitys-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/2012\/09\/lehigh-acres-boy-with-tumor-gets-communitys-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Lehigh Acres Boy with
Tumor Gets Community’s Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The medical odds say Ethan Arbelo, who has an inoperable brain tumor, has less than 20 percent chance for living another five years.<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s “Bowling for Ethan” event was one of several planned by Turtle Shirts to try to help the mother and son with the almost weekly trips to St. Petersburg for doctor visits, chemotherapy and other tumor-related issues.<\/p>\n

Angie Becker of Turtle Shirts said the company has been hosting charity events and many of those who play in the company\u2019s softball league participate. \u201cIt\u2019s like a little community,\u201d Becker said. \u201cWe try to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

A fund is open at Region\u2019s Bank for Ethan.<\/p>\n

The doctor examined Ethan and referred him to a neuro-opthalmologist. Because they have no insurance and the specialist required upfront money, she took him to a hospital emergency room instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey pulled me from the exam room and told me to take him to St. Pete \u2014 now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ethan had surgery the next morning to put in a drain and for a biopsy. The biopsy showed the tumor, and it was an aggressive type.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Arbelo, 40, who had her own cancer scare and had undergone a lumpectomy earlier, was told to take Ethan home and make him comfortable.<\/p>\n

Not content to just wait for his death, Arbelo looked for help. She found it in a clinical trial at All Children\u2019s Hospital in St. Pete.<\/p>\n

Ethan started the trial on June 19. Arbelo saw that as a good sign as she had joined the Marines on that date in 1989.<\/p>\n

Although Arbelo retains her Marine-tough attitude, the past months have taken its toll. She and Ethan had to handle the diagnosis while also being hit by the loss of her job, a breakup with her fianc\u00e9 and watch as her son was wracked by seizures at times.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really don\u2019t know how I am keeping it together,\u201d she said. \u201cI just pray that he wakes up in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ethan, meanwhile, said he would like to be a Marine, like his mother and two of his uncles.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarines are not allowed to die without permission,\u201d Ethan said proudly<\/p>\n

Where to donate<\/strong><\/p>\n

Anyone wishing to donate to help Ethan and his mother can make a contribution to Ethan\u2019s Fund at any branch of Regions Bank or\u00a0click here to make donation online.<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n