FARMINGTON — March 7, 2016, is a day Trent Flanders’ family will never forget.

“We had brought him to the doctors three or four different occasions due to fluid buildup in his ears,” said Ann Flanders of her son, who recently turned 4. The family, Ann, Trent, and father, Scott, live in Farmington.

Trent’s balance was off, but other doctors had failed to recognize the symptoms. However, his pediatrician immediately knew that something was terribly wrong. Trent was sent to a pediatric neurologist, and to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where an MRI was performed.

“They told us he had a mass on his brain,” Ann said of that fateful March 7.

It was brain cancer.

Trent’s brain tumor, a type of cancer called pilocytic astrocytoma, is extremely rare, Ann said. The cancer was rated Grade I, meaning it was slow-growing and treatable.

Because Trent’s brain is so young, it was soft enough for doctors to be able to operate.

“If he was a teenager, it would have been inoperable,” she said. “His was right on top of his brain stem.”

It was 43 days from the time Trent went into Maine Medical Center until he was well enough to come home. In that time, delicate surgery was performed on his brain, and for a time Trent lost the ability to speak.

“(Doctors) thought he might never speak again. Some of them thought he might never wake up,” Ann said. “I didn’t leave the building for 30 days. The oncologist said, ‘You’ve got to get outside.'”

While he was at MMC, Trent contracted meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It required two weeks of potent antibiotics. “It took a toll on his veins,” Ann said.

Nearly every day after the surgery, Trent was doing physical and speech therapy.

Another setback occurred June 21, when he had two separate surgeries because the shunt in his head used to drain brain fluid buildup malfunctioned. Trent had to relearn how to walk, and the family stayed eight days at Maine Medical Center.

Ann said he sees his oncologist and neurosurgeon every three months when he gets his MRIs.

Trent’s next MRI is Sept. 23. “That’s when he sees his oncologist,” Ann said. “That’s when they will determine how much of the tumor is left, if any.”

Now, Trent is walking around, although his balance is unsteady. He is also able to speak and loves to greet people at the family’s home. Trent loves trains and fishing, and also likes playing with his dog, Willow, and cat, Ollie.

“My dog is crazy!” Trent said. “I like to pull his tongue.”

Ann noted that they have to be extra vigilant with Trent and try to avoid putting him in situations where he could get injured, because of his balance problems.

What has been gratifying, and unexpected, for the family, has been how the community has rallied behind them. Although Ann was laid off from her job because she wasn’t able to give her employer notice of when she would return, her husband’s employer, Main-Land Development Consultants in Livermore Falls, has been incredibly supportive, she said. She is especially grateful to Main-Land owner Bob Berry for being so understanding and caring.

Ann and Scott belong to the American Legion, which did a benefit for Trent. Main-Land paid for the food.

A silent auction was also held with donated items and baked goods. During Old Home Week in Phillips, a 5K walk was held with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Trent.

H&R Block did Scott and Ann’s taxes for free. Sandy River Cash Fuel donated a free tank of oil. Members of the community pooled their money for $700 worth of gas cards. And churches have written to the family offering their prayers.

“We ask for everyone’s prayers,” Ann said. “I wasn’t big on thinking these really work, but after Trent, I do. People have just gone above and beyond helping us.”

Her sister, Yvonne Teel, with help from Farmington Postmaster Sue Jones, set up a GoFundMe page for Trent, which is still active.

As Ann reflected upon how the family’s life has changed this year, she looked lovingly at Trent playing with his trains in the family’s living room.

“We’re just really fortunate he’s even here,” she said. “It’s a miracle.” 

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