LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Emergency surgery led to the discovery of cancer in an 11-year-old Las Vegas boy.
Elijah Portillo flew from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City to have a brain tumor removed.
The surgery was a success.
Elijah’ father, Richard, shared his son‘s story with Jaclyn Schultz. He wanted to warn other parents to pay attention to a child’s symptoms, even if they appear simple.
“The biggest lesson learned for us parents is, react. A lot of people say, they‘re trying to get out of school or what not. This was not the case. He had a life-threatening condition,” said Richard Portillo.
Elijah is a student at Jack L. Schofield Middle School. He fell at school and had trouble standing.
The first doctor Elijah visited said he was fine, and the fall could have been from blood pressure.
However, a CAT scan showed a mass in his brain. It took seven hours for the brain tumor removal.
Elijah‘s family provided an update to FOX5. Doctors determined that it’s cancer. It‘s called medulloblastoma. Doctors say it’s often found in children.
Elijah will soon return to Salt Lake City for chemo and a type of radiation that is only available in Utah.
Richard continues to warn parents to pay attention to children’s symptoms, such as a simple headache. He also says the situation shows the lack of options for families in Nevada to treat conditions like cancer.
FOX5 verified a GoFundMe for Elijah. Those interested in viewing could find it here.
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