Sons Battle with Illness Gives Mother Strength

Posted by rob on February 28, 2005 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

By Linda McCartyThe Winchester Star

If life starts to get her down, Susan Schabos pick-me-up is her 22-year-old son, Tommy Cleaver.
Hes really had a lot to overcome, and he gives me strength and a positive outlook on life, said Schabo, who lives in Winchester.
Susan Schabo of Winchester said she is inspired by her sons ability to excel in football and continue on with his college studies while he had undergone treament for chronic myelogenous leukemia. (Photos by Ginger Perry)Cleaver, a Maryland resident, was studying and playing football at Middlebury College in Vermont in 2001, when he was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, a bone-marrow cancer.
I was playing football in the fall of 2001 and had a hemorrhage in my right eye, Cleaver said recently, while visiting his mother, sister, Amber Schabo, 14, and brother, Joshua Schabo, 13.
Following extensive tests, doctors discovered that Cleavers white blood cell count was extremely high.
They did a bone marrow biopsy, Cleaver said, and diagnosed CNL.
Cleaver said he was in shock when he heard the diagnosis.
But I didnt dwell on it too much, he said. I just had a lot of faith.
Schabo was home when she received word of her sons illness.
When I got up there, I was falling apart, and he was holding me together, Schabo said. He comforted me.
Cleaver was transferred for treatment from a hospital in Vermont to Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore. He had a round of chemotherapy and then was put on an experimental drug, Gleevec.
Ive been in remission for three years today, Cleaver said on Feb. 14. Theres no cure, but hopefully, Ill stay in remission.
Cleaver missed that semester in school, but returned during the spring of 2002 and began playing football again that year.
My doctor wasnt really thrilled that I played football, but I had my blood checked weekly during the season to make sure it was OK, he said, and it was.
Football helped Cleaver to cope with his illness, he said. It was my release from the situation.
As a result, he excelled as a player. By the time Cleaver graduated in January, he was his schools leading receiver and had earned records for most catches during a game and season and most yards receiving during a game, season, and career.
During Cleavers junior and senior years, he was first-team, all-conference selection, and during his senior year he was a first-team, All New England selection.
In December, Cleaver was one of 15 student athletes to be named a 2004 National Scholar Athlete by the National Football Foundation and the College Hall of Fame.
Right now, Cleaver is looking for a job in either investment banking or commercial real estate and wants to live in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., or possibly New York City.
Although Cleavers disease isnt curable, he doesnt dwell on the possibility that it may reoccur again.
I dont see how worrying would help, he said. Im a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I want to learn from this and grow as a result. If I come out of remission, I will cross that road when I get there.
Tommy has truly taught me not to give up, and to have faith, Schabo said. He is my inspiration.

Link: http://www.winchesterstar.com/TheWinchesterStar/050228/Area_illness.asp