Life drastically changed for a dynamic trio at 2 a.m., Oct. 22, after Andrew Zeppa, a longtime local and father of two young sons, was told one of his sons had cancer.

Seemingly overnight, Zeppa and his boys, Trent and Drew, left their home in Carlsborg and have since been at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

At 7 years old, only a year younger than his brother, Drew, a second-grader at Greywolf Elementary, was experiencing a “upset tummy,” Zeppa said, and after a visit to his doctor and a couple trips to the Emergency Room a cancerous tumor was detected. Shortly following his admission into Seattle Children’s Hospital Drew was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer.

“If everything goes exactly according to plan, he’ll probably be there (Seattle Children’s) about five months,” Zeppa said.

Zeppa and Drew’s big brother Trent are staying at the nearby Ronald McDonald House while Drew undergoes care and chemotherapy at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Already, with one full treatment of chemotherapy complete, Drew’s tumor is responding positively to the treatment and in some areas has decreased about 60 to 70 percent in size. Still, the cancerous tumor stretches from Drew’s chest cavity to his groin, Zeppa explained, and is known within the medical field as one of the fastest-growing cancer types.

“The type of cancer has a 90 percent cure rate,” Zeppa said. “We’re not talking about remission here, but a cure rate.”

Although the cure rate is high, some of the drugs Drew is on can cause longterm health damage, like slight heart damage for instance, but such side effects are of little worry given the fatal potential of not treating, Zeppa said.

Because Seattle Children’s Hospital is a research hospital, Zeppa said he finds comfort in knowing a dynamic team is working together to improve Drew’s odds. Drew also has been enrolled into a study that allows him to receive a additional medication known as Rituximab and it should only make Drew’s chances greater and will ensure he’ll be monitored for at least 10 years following his release.

“I can’t say enough good things about the place (Seattle Children’s Hospital),” Zeppa said. “I didn’t know what to ask when I first got here because you’re just so stressed and just want for your child to be OK, but the staff here are so helpful and nice.”

While Zeppa continues to stay nearby the hospital in Seattle, back home friends and the community have been collaborating to help relieve perhaps a portion of the stress and burden acquired after such a diagnoses.

“I am not good at asking for help or being the center of attention,” Zeppa said. “The support has been overwhelming.”

Greywolf Elementary is collecting coins for Drew to help with Zeppa’s miscellaneous expenses such as groceries, gas and bills. Already, Drew’s second-grade peers have made cards and letters for him and he is missed everyday, Drew’s teacher Emily Ellefson, said.

“He is that kid that everybody likes,” Ellefson said. “He’s a good student and thinks through things.”

With the ongoing support back home, Zeppa is able to focus his attention on his sons, though it is not easy and is taking its toll on his sleep, he said.

“I was in the Marine Corps for four years and I’ve never felt this way before – I’ve never felt so helpless,” Zeppa said.

“Seeing him in pain, but knowing there’s nothing you can do is very difficult, but we try to keep it light.”

Zeppa has found it a challenging balance in both explaining Drew’s diagnoses to both his sons.

“It is my job to worry, not theirs” Zeppa said. “I want them to know what’s going on and they know it is cancer, but I don’t want them to feel scared.”

Throughout all the worry and stress however, Zeppa said both Drew and Trent continue to impress him through their unique personalities.

Although Trent and Drew are the best of friends, they are like night and day in many ways. Drew is a “goof” and loves to make people laugh, whereas Trent is more quiet and seeks to help people whenever possible, he said.

“I like to say Drew is my man of action,” Zeppa said. “If he’s not sleeping, then he’s moving.”

Even though both brothers enjoy video games, Drew really didn’t get into them until fairly recently because he can’t sit still long enough and even now he moves around a lot while he’s playing video games, Zeppa said.

Drew also has a love for animals – especially their three cats.

“He always likes to have his kitties near him,” Zeppa said. “But his absolute favorite toy is Legos. He loves Legos.”

Highlighting Drew’s other love of anything super hero-related, during his PET scan (positron emission tomography) that uses radioactive tracers in a special dye which are then absorbed by organs and tissues to indicate areas of concern, Drew questioned his knowledge of gamma radiation and its effects on some of his favorite super heroes, like Hulk.

Whether it’s playing video games, exploring the outdoors, wrestling each other, snuggling with their cats or creating something from Legos, from morning until night Zeppa and his sons share a close-knit life together.

“We’re a team and we’ve always worked together and we’ll work together here, too,” Zeppa said.

To help support and assist Zeppa and his sons, a gofundme account has been created: www.gofundme.com/gpksvg.

Reach Alana Linderoth at alinderoth@sequimgazette.com.