Adrian Marcel Lewis Solano was a unique boy who loved to draw and loved old cars.
Adrian had been battling cancer for more than a year and lost that battle on Friday. He was 13. He died Feb. 18 at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., where he had been for the past four months.
Even through the end, Adrian did not want to give up fighting for his life, his parents, Sandy and David Solano said.
“Adrian’s a fighter. He never wanted to quit,” David said.
Dad: ‘I look up to him’
Last week Adrian’s parents and doctors sat down with him to say that the cancer wasn’t going away.
They explained that there is no cure and that there wasn’t much else they could do. There was a chemotherapy pill he could take that would hopefully stop the cancer’s growth, but the medicine could make Adrian more susceptible to infections.
When they asked him what he wanted to do, Adrian wanted to try the medicine.
“He wanted to keep fighting,” David said.
Throughout his battle with cancer his parents said they never heard their son complain that he didn’t feel good.
David said he and Adrian had a motto: That quitting was never an option.
David and Sandy said in Adrian’s heart he knew that trying the medicine could mean that he was helping other kids with cancer in the future.
“He was willing to put himself at risk to see if medicines could work on other kids,” David said. “I look up to him. I want to be like him.”
Year-long battle
Adrian woke up last January with a headache. He was taken to the hospital, where a scan showed a mass in his brain. He was then taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., and tests showed he had a malignant tumor in his brain.
Adrian went through six cycles of chemotherapy. His tumor was gone after the second cycle, Sandy said, though he had to finish all six cycles.
After that Adrian was taken to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he received proton radiation in June and July 2010.
In August, the family was told there was a 90 percent chance the cancer would not come back, his parents said.
In September, Adrian’s family started noticing some changes and took him again to the hospital.
Six more tumors were found in his brain and spine.
After starting chemotherapy again, Adrian got sick and got a bacterial infection, his parents said. He was sedated for five weeks and on a ventilator.
After that, Sandy and David Solano said their options were limited.
Last Wednesday his parents and doctors sat down with Adrian and explained that there was a new trial with oral chemotherapy he could try, but the medicine had never been given to kids before.
Adrian wanted to keep fighting, his parents said, but his body ultimately couldn’t keep up.
‘Cool kid’
Adrian attended Walnut Elementary School and was currently an eighth grader at Emporia Middle School. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Emporia.
He was very smart. Sandy said he received straight A’s in school. He also loved to run and was very energetic.
“He’s just a really cool kid,” Sandy said. “He’s very unique.”
He wanted to go to college to work on cars.
While in the hospital in Kansas City his parents took him wherever he wanted to go, such as shopping or to Chuck E Cheese.
“We did whatever he wanted to make him happy,” David Solano said.
Adrian lost mobility in his legs and was in a wheelchair. When visiting a drug store to get his medicine, his parents said Adrian pointed to a walker and said he wanted one.
His parents purchased one. In bed at night Adrian would lift weights to try to build his arm strength so we could use the walker.
“He didn’t want to give up,” his dad said.
Advocating
for research
Adrian’s parents said they plan to advocate for more research for childhood cancer in order to find more medications and a cure.
“No one thinks about childhood cancer research. We need more people who are willing to help,” David said. “There’s medicine out there but not enough funds. Nobody gives them a chance.”
Sandy added: “It’s frustrating.”
David and Sandy said they will visit Kansas City in the future. They plan to help Children’s Mercy Hospital and the families who have children there.
Many of the families there come with nothing, David and Sandy said. They need food, diapers, and other basic items.
Sandy and David said they also plan to help out in the kitchen and advocate for kids with cancer.
“It’s a sad deal,” David said.
“No one can imagine what the kids there go through,” Sandy said. “I can’t explain the ups and downs. It’s just torture to see a child go through that.”
David said he is planning to take part locally to raise money for childhood cancer research. On March 12 people can go to J Mo’s Place, 518 Commercial St., and have their heads shaved in an event for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven chariity committed to funding promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors healthy lives. More information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation can be found www.StBaldricks.org.
Funeral services
Adrian’s funeral will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Church of the Nazarene in Emporia. Burial will follow at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery.
David and Sandy said Adrian’s funeral is the last thing they can do for him.
His casket will bear a custom paint job with a hot rod turtle and the Dallas Cowboys star logo on the other side. Since Adrian loved the Dallas Cowboys, inside the casket will be Adrian’s Cowboys pillow case and blanket.
Instead of a hearse, he will be taken to the cemetery by a 1954 Chevy Rat Rod, his dad said.
Non-traditional songs will be played at the service, including music from the Black Eyed Peas, and the pallbearers will wear Adrian’s beanies, hats that Adrian wore after he lost his hair.
Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Adrian Lewis Solano Memorial Fund in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175 Emporia, KS 66801. Online condolences can be left at www.robertsblue.com.
jwnks (anonymous) says...
Adrian was a wonderful child. He will be missed immensely by his friends & family. He is a true hero! He fought his cancer as bravely as anyone could! His smile is brightening heaven now. Prayers are with his family, who stood bravely by his side during this terrible ordeal.
Adrian's aunt Krystee Pearson is also participating in the St. Baldrick's fundraiser at J Mo's. To read more about St. Baldricks or to make a donation to Krystee's team, here is the link: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participan...
February 21, 2011 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thrashed (anonymous) says...
I didnt know this young man but his story is heartbreaking. Hope he is in a better place. R.I.P. Adrian.
February 21, 2011 at 4:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rami (anonymous) says...
We miss you so much Adrian! My heart aches. Tyler will never forget all the good times you two shared. I love you David, Sandy and Sam.
February 21, 2011 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kbat123 (anonymous) says...
I just cried that i read this:(
The whole school day was a wreck when we got back from our field trip:( Adrian was so young but he is in heave playing with the other Angels:)
WE <3 you adrian
- Class of 2015
February 21, 2011 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasper007 (anonymous) says...
My heart goes out to Adrian and his family. While younger, my son spent a few times at Children's Mercy. It is a great facility. It would be so nice to see many people getting involved in the fundraiser.....
February 21, 2011 at 9:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mds (anonymous) says...
i going to pray for solano family and am sorry for your son Adrian Lewis my sister are going to funeral i will keep solano family in my prayers
Rip Adrian .
February 21, 2011 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )