Junior Darren Peng braced for the worst when he walked into his optometrist’s in October for his rapidly deteriorating vision and severe headaches. While his doctor came to a conclusion that he was perfectly normal and healthy, Peng knew he wasn’t. He knew something was wrong.
“I could still see and walk around and go to school, but it was weird. So right away, I asked my mom to go see the doctor,” Peng shared.
Peng and his mother visited their regular family physician, who was also unable to provide a conclusive diagnosis regarding his double vision.
The physician then advised the family to receive a CT scan to see if the symptoms were neurological. To ensure that Peng received his results without delay, Peng was transported to the emergency room of Huntington Memorial Hospital.
The results of the scan indicated that a mass in the third ventricle of Peng’s brain was blocking the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. Peng was admitted to the hospital immediately.
On Oct. 23, Peng underwent his first procedure to reroute his cerebral fluids by placing a shunt from the blockage in his brain to his stomach. Soon after the surgery, Peng was transferred to City of Hope in Duarte for post-operation care and screenings. “I went back in [to HMH] for a checkup, and that’s when they gave me another CT scan. They found out that the tumor was growing,” Peng recalled.
Peng underwent his second surgery on Nov. 12 to completely remove the tumor and the previously placed shunt. An internal shunt was drilled in his head as well, to allow the body to drain fluids by itself.
Peng is currently resting at home, counting his blessings for his healthy state. “I just finished my first round of chemo. I’ve been really, really lucky to catch the tumor and get the VP shunt in. The doctors said that the tumor started to bleed almost right after the shunt went in,” Peng said. His tumor is entirely removed with no complications except for minor headaches and slightly blurred vision. During his break at home, Peng will be entered in a Home Hospital program, where he will be visited by a teacher to make up classwork. He has missed numerous weeks of school, but his teachers and GLC are confident he will easily adjust to the new circumstances.
“At the meeting, we saw this guy that was making us laugh and making the whole room bright. He was keeping us positive, and it was just inspirational. He has such a positive attitude and that’s going to help him pull through this,” GLC Jenna Maine commented. “He’s in some tough AP classes, and not all of that stuff, you can teach yourself. His teachers have worked with him as far as making sure most important assignments and tests are done.”
After hearing the news, the students and faculty members alike rallied in support of Peng’s journey. The student store put together a gift basket to wish Peng’s speedy recovery. The teachers have been keeping close contact with Peng via email to update him on the curriculum. Irene Na, the class president, gathered her classmates on Facebook to take a group photo with an encouraging message painted on a poster. Na commented, “We were just supporting Darren and hoping for the best.”
Peng looks forward to going back to his normalcy. “I’m pretty lucky and thankful. I’m really looking forward to eating school lunch again!”