HOLLY HILL – It has been said that a person can never know whether his faith is weak or strong unless it has been tried and tested.

Two-year-old Thomas Boyd had complained of having headaches and experienced episodes of vomiting.

After taking their young son to a physician on March 22, Kelly and Jeff Boyd’s faith was confronted with news no parent wants to hear – their young son had a brain tumor. Specifically, medulloblastoma.

Today, following a total resection of the cranium and complete removal of the tumor, MRIs reveal no cancer any where, according to Thomas’ mother.

“But at his age we have to be aggressive,” Kelly said. Thomas is currently undergoing six weeks of radiation at the Medical University of South Carolina. Because of his age, the young boy will have to undergo general anesthesia.

However unlike the past two months when father Jeff remained with his son during his hospitalization, the Boyd’s will take each day at a time.

“Thomas has to be at the hospital 7:30 a.m. each morning, Monday through Friday,” Kelly said. Even though accommodations are available at the nearby Ronald McDonald House, Jeff may decide to travel from their Holly Hill home to Charleston.

Thomas’ diagnosis has been a life-changing experience for the entire Boyd family.

“I cried,” Kelly said when she was presented with the devastating news.

“I didn’t know what to feel,” Jeff said. “Your doctor tells you your son has a brain tumor. I remember leaving the doctor’s office and calling my mom.

“I was walking to the parking lot. God said, ‘Look over here, here’s your life, this is where you have to go. I’m painting this picture, and you’re asking Me to change the colors.’”

And, according to Jeff, that’s where he got peace.

“He’s in control,” Jeff said. “He’s also building character and endurance in Thomas.”

But Jeff admits he doesn’t really know what Thomas is going through.

“He’s not a crying, whining boy,” he said. “His pacifier, bottle and blanket make him comfortable. Now it’s his bed. He’ll relax, and then come downstairs.”

According to Kelly, who is a registered nurse, Thomas’ total parenteral nutrition 16 hours a day is the most stressful part of his condition.

“It has been three weeks since his last dose of chemo, and each week he is getting a little better,” she added.

Because Thomas requires one-on-one care, one parent has to take charge of his care, and the other has to take care of Thomas’ siblings – 5-month-old Jonathan, 4-year-old Jordan and 6-year-old Evan.

Therefore, Kelly taken a leave of absence from her position at Roper Hospital, and Jeff’s at-home sign business has taken a respite.

Although the family has health insurance, their monthly household expenses have become a challenge.

“Family, friends and our church have been very supportive,” Kelly said. “But we can’t rely on them forever.”

A fund has been established in Thomas Boyd’s name at the Holly Hill Branch of Farmers and Merchants Bank, P.O. Box 68, Holly Hill, SC 29059.

“We have hope,” Jeff said. “We have a Father that is in control.”

T&D Correspondent Rendy Boland can be reached with comments or story ideas by phone at 803-535-2222. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

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