He is a very dignified boy, kind and quiet. But as he entered adolescence, his life changed. He experienced very difficult situations, nightmarish moments that he will never forget. He was unlucky but also lucky because he is perhaps the only child who has been offered spiritual and material help, support and love by an entire school.
Today he is 19 years old, he is healthy and beautiful. He graduated from school this year and full of emotion describes everything he experienced then.
Antonis Antoniou reports on Ant1.com.cy:
"I was born on 3/9/2001 in Xylofagou and I have two brothers. I had a beautiful childhood. Although I was an overweight child, I rarely felt bad about myself. Fortunately I had friends who loved me and I had a good time at school.
When I was 12 years old and towards the end of the school year, my life changed completely. Everything was different now…
My grandmother always cut my hair and I enjoyed it. But that Monday was very different… As he was cutting my hair, he started to tremble, he panicked. He saw two skeins, one on my head and one behind my ear. I did not even realize it.
He told my parents and they immediately took me to the doctor. He told us that they were lipomas (small bumps that form under the skin and are considered the most common benign tumors) and that we should not worry. In the evening we made a table and we were all very happy. But our joy did not last long…
The next day, the doctor called my father and told him he wanted to see me again. She had later told him: "Dude, I do not want to tell your wife first but you. It is not fat but cancer. He has Hodgkın lymphoma. "
At first my father did not tell me anything. When we went to the pediatric department of Makarios Hospital in Nicosia, I was told that I had to undergo chemotherapy and that nothing bad would happen to me, I would only lose my hair.
When I started chemotherapy and lost my hair…
My brother and my cousin shaved their heads so as not to feel bad. My whole family was always by my side and they showed me their love in every way.
After a few weeks the schools opened. I used to go to chemotherapy normally and then go back to school. My children showed incredible love. Nobody looked at me strangely and they did not ask me any questions. In fact, a few days later, they did the following incredible…
When I finished chemotherapy and went back to school, I saw all the boys in my class shaved their heads. Students and teachers decided to show me their love and support by bringing hairdressers to school to shave their heads. Everyone was waiting for me in the school yard to tell me that he would always be by my side. My family was there too. In fact, my grandmother was among the hairdressers. They were all very excited.
I went through very difficult times…
I felt very weak and lost track of time. Towards the end of the chemotherapy I had many side effects and many problems. Unfortunately I had an infection and had to have surgery. I even had a second throat operation since the wound had not closed. Plastic surgery followed. It had blackened and melted my skin as well as the bone around the pelvis. I went through tragic moments… And not everything else was enough, I was also infected with shingles. I was in incredible pain and could not see the wounds.
When I first went to Germany for a PET scan the results were not good but the second time, fortunately, it was clean. There were so many problems that I thought would never be solved and I would never get well.
With so many difficulties but I kept going to school.
Many times I even found it difficult to walk but I went because I wanted to see my classmates, teachers and my school. Many times my friends were waiting for me at the school door with gifts. I was once given a jar in which 63 students put in a piece of paper that said why I should always smile.
How bad I looked…
I was almost 13 years old, 93 rolls but my hair started to grow. I was visibly distressed and very pale. But I wanted to change. I started Crossfit (it is a training method with demanding multi-joint movements performed at high intensity. It is the most widespread training method in recent years. Abroad, mainly in America, it is the basic training program in military and police schools, firefighting and high level athletes, who want to reach their maximum fitness, strength and power) and nutrition. However, one "Dream a wish" entered my life that we still have contact with and I thank them from the bottom of my heart, they helped me a lot.
Today I am 19 years old and I am healthy and happy. This year I graduated and I want to thank the whole school and in public for all that love!
It took years for the wounds on my body and soul to heal, but I did it. I go and see children suffering from this disease and I talk to them, I support them, I give them strength and love.
I thank with all the power of my soul my friends, my classmates and my teachers. My whole school that supported me so much. I thank my parents and siblings but also all those who were by my side during those difficult moments of my life. My good friend Mario Loizidis who did not miss a moment by my side.
I wish all the children who suffer to be well soon and to always be happy! "
It is recalled that in 2014 Antonis's classmates at Xenion Highschool in Paralimni cut their hair in support of their classmate.
Source: Ant1 / Famagusta.News