Parker Gipe

Learning to Live Through Cancer & Beyond

Tori’s Perspective (From A Mother’s Heart)

Parker’s journey began with months of chronic pain that was dismissed or misdiagnosed by several specialists. An MRI finally revealed an aggressive paraspinal tumor in his lumbar spine, and we learned it had metastasized to his lungs. Within hours of the scan, Parker became paralyzed from the waist down and underwent emergency surgery to relieve the pressure on his spine. He is still disabled to this day. After more than a week of pathology research and testing, Parker was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in November 2023, and we had to begin chemotherapy immediately.

The day we learned about Parker’s tumor is a moment I will never forget. We were waiting anxiously in the MRI room, and while there was fear, I did not fully believe the worst could happen to us. I can still see the faces of the doctors and nurses at the PRISMA Children’s Emergency Room and their expressions when they told us the news. One younger nurse, whom I remember vividly, held me as I sat there in stunned silence, while my husband broke down and cried.

It wasn’t until about 24 hours later when they closed the doors to the OR for Parker’s surgery and told us to go back to his room in the PICU to wait, that everything hit me all at once. I completely lost it. I remember sobbing uncontrollably on the bathroom floor and throwing up for about 45 minutes, which felt like forever at the time. It was like my body couldn’t handle the shock and fear any longer.

As our journey continued, Parker had to undergo proton radiation treatment at the Emory Proton Center in Atlanta. Sedation was initially planned, as recommended for a child his age, but Parker chose to stay awake for each of his 28 rounds. He sat as still as a statue for more than 30 minutes daily while the doctors played Taylor Swift (at his request)! Watching a four-year-old handle such an intense treatment with such strength and courage still moves me. They told us that Parker was their first four-year-old patient to be able to sit still and complete the treatment unassisted. He was a champ! Having a survivor mentality is such a big part of the journey. Being a survivor is about resilience—not just overcoming the physical aspects of cancer but also the emotional and mental toll it takes. It is a journey that goes beyond just living through treatment; it is about reclaiming parts of life.

Dr. Chandra Dargan and her team at PRISMA Pediatric Hematology have taken excellent care of Parker throughout his treatments. I have to say, the nurses have been the real shining stars, and I could talk about each of them for hours! I’ve never met a team of people so dedicated to their patients. From memorizing his chart, to knowing his favorite superhero, how Parker specifically likes to take his meds, and how I like the room set up for overnight stays (they would fully move the furniture before we got there)—they do it all. A few months ago, I noticed that the clinic receptionist had been taking all of the watermelon and birthday cake dum-dums (Parker’s favorites) out of the package and setting them aside in a plastic cup to ensure that other kids wouldn’t swoop them up before his weekly visits. The extra care and attention they provided made our family feel so loved.

Cancer has affected our family in countless ways. First, it shattered our sense of normalcy. Our family has had to adjust in unimaginable ways—from spending extended periods apart to watching Parker grapple with the loss of his independence. As his mother, I’ve had to confront my own fears while being strong for Parker. My husband and I have become more focused on being present for both of our children, even in the smallest of moments. I wish people understood how isolating this experience can feel for both Parker and our family. Cancer is not just about treatments or hospital stays; it’s the lingering fear, the grief over lost time, and the emotional pain of watching your child endure things no child should. I want people to understand the toll cancer takes on families—emotionally, physically, and mentally. It’s not just about surviving but about learning to live through and beyond the experience.

The best advice I received was to take everything one day at a time. Cancer’s unpredictability makes long-term plans nearly impossible. We chose to focus on small victories—even something as simple as Parker lifting his leg for the first time post-surgery has helped us survive this rollercoaster of emotions. My advice to others is to find and hold onto the good moments, no matter how small, and to allow yourself grace on the hard days.

Parker is an incredibly imaginative 5-year-old who loves Minecraft and superheroes. Despite everything he’s going through, he lights up when playing with Legos and creates entire worlds from his imagination. He is a proud fan of the Buffalo Bills, supporting the Bills Mafia alongside his dad. Even during his treatment, Parker’s kindness and pride in helping take care of his little sister, Indy, shine through. He is incredibly empathetic, and thoughtful, and always finds ways to enjoy life, even during the toughest times. He is our family’s superhero every day.

Parker’s Perspective (from a 5-year-old’s heart)

Cancer makes me miss doing things I used to do, like playing with my friends at school and running around with my sister, Indy. I miss walking by myself. But I know that I am brave because I can go up to my treehouse by myself, even though it is high!

I am a survivor. Being a survivor means being strong even when you’re scared and taking the medicine when your mom tells you to, even though it doesn’t taste good.

I want people to know that sometimes it’s really hard, and I feel sad because I can’t do things like before. But I do get to watch my iPad a lot more than Indy! Mommy and Daddy tell me that it’s okay to feel sad or scared sometimes. They say it’s important to be brave, but it’s also okay to cry when I’m scared. I would tell other kids going through this to be really brave, even when things hurt or feel hard.

Story by Laura Brasington

Photo by Sliced Tomato Productions