Teen still needs help after successful tumour surgery
SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Rayon Fredericks, diagnosed with a brain tumour less than a year ago, underwent successful surgery in Trinidad last week, his father, Mr. Leslie Fredericks reported. The Fredericks family, from Hururu, Upper Berbice River, was faced with the grim reality of their son’s condition late last year, as the young man was preparing to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.
After frequent complaints to his parents about a worsening hearing problem, Rayon was taken to a doctor in Georgetown, who made the diagnosis and advised that he would need the life saving operation.
Since the prognosis, the teen’s father had been struggling to raise the necessary funds, for the overseas trip, as well.
However, father and son departed for Trinidad on July 28, through the kind sponsorship of Caribbean Airlines Limited, which company donated the travel tickets and the surgery was paid for after a series of fund-raising activities and gifts from individuals.
Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, from Trinidad, Mr. Fredericks explained, yesterday, that his son is now recovering as the process to remove the tumour was completed in two parts, one last Thursday and another on Monday.
“Rayon came out of the two surgeries, one 16 hours long on Thursday and the other of 17 hours duration on Monday and, so far, he is resting and we are waiting on his recovery,” the father said.
Going into details, he sad 80 per cent of the mass in the teenager’s brain was removed in the first operation and the remaining 20 per cent on Monday.
The boy’s father said he was told the road to his son’s recovery will be a long one and, as such, he will be required to remain in Trinidad with the patent until the latter is strong enough to travel.
“We have to wait and see how he is doing. From what the doctors here are saying, that might be a long time and we just do not have the money to support us for much longer,” the worried father lamented.
Despite that other hurdle to cross, he has expressed his gratitude to all the individuals and organisations who have contributed, generously, to saving his son’s life.
“I can’t begin to say how happy I am that my son has a chance to live and this would not have happened if people did not find it in their hearts to help us pay for the surgery and help us get to Trinidad. I want to say thank you for it all, though I know that saying thank you is not enough,” the man acknowledged.
While expressing his gratitude, the father is, once again, appealing to the public for further assistance, so that he can remain with Rayon in Trinidad until the latter recovers.
Meanwhile, an account, number 508-7721, has been opened at Republic Bank, to receive donations for the purpose of helping Rayon.
Otherwise, interested persons can contact Mr. Fredericks on telephone numbers 676-5903, /690-7908 or 0011-868-706-4268.