zReportage.com Story of the Week #160 - Launched April 24, 2007 - No one wants to hear the words ''Your child has cancer.'' When you look into the face of someone with cancer, you may have no idea what is going on beyond chemo and radiation. It's human nature to turn away. But it is real life, often raw, and it's going on in homes all over this country, where more than one million people are diagnosed every year. Billions of dollars are given toward cancer research but virtually nothing is given to help families through the emotional and financial challenges to allow them the time to spend with their dying child. Through the eyes of Cyndie French and Derek Madsen, we can see that this could have been the most precious gift in the most vital moment. This yearlong story chronicling single mom Cyndie French, 40, and her 11-year-old son Derek Madsen is not an ordinary cancer saga. The photographs often take us places where we don't comfortably go, showing the emotional impact on finances, job loss and the complex relationship between a mother and her pre-adolescent son. They take us beyond the doctor appointments that hold bad news to the unrelenting anger of a small boy faced with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, as his mother is torn between giving up her business, throwing carwashes and trying to make money and care for her dying son. The emotional impact on them is significant enough to tear at the fabric of what defines a family, parental guidance and support. Derek died at home in the arms of his mother in May 2006. This isn't a story about his death. It's the story of how he lived and how he was guided with the unconditional love, persistence and patience of his mother despite all odds.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

June 21, 2005 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - Racing barefooted after kicking off her flip-flops, CYNDIE FRENCH, 40, pushes her son DEREK MADESEN, 11, also shoe less up and down the halls in the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, successfully distracting him during the dreaded wait before his bone marrow extraction. Doctors want to determine whether he is eligible for a blood stem cell transplant, his best hope for beating neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, which was diagnosed in November 2004.
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July 25, 2005 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - CYNDIE FRENCH. 40. embraces her son, DEREK MADSEN, 10, after learning Derek needs surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his abdomen. The emotional impact is taking its toll on her. ''How can anyone maintain a nine-to-five job and do this?'' she begins to wonder.
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July 9, 2005 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - DEREK MADSEN, 10, gets a soothing massage from his mother, CYNDIE FRENCH, 39, at her Sacramento nail and tanning salon. The 10-year-old is battling a rare childhood cancer that has invaded his bones and organs. 'I'm going to do whatever it takes to make him happy, to see him smile.' Cyndie says. A single mom of five, Cyndie has to give up her salon at a financial loss to care for her dying son.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

July 27, 2005 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - DEREK MADSEN, 10, playfully taunts his mother as CYNDIE FRENCH, tries to coax him down from a wall outside the UC Davis Medical Center. They are there to admit Derek for cancer surgery the following day. Earlier, in a distraction that Cyndie arranged, Derek went on a ride-along with West Sacramento Police Officer Mark Salvo, who gave him a lesson on using a radar gun to measure the speed of passing vehicles. Cythdie who understands Derek's emotional meltdown before procedures, spends hours getting him in the door of the hospital.
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November 30, 2005 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - Shorthly after his 11th birthday and Cyndie's 40th, DEREK MADSEN, 11, is comforted by his brother MICAH MOFFE, 17, left, and mom CYNDIE FRENCH, right, as he gets a tattoo in preparation for radiation therapy for cancer during an orientation at UC Davis Medical Center. Micah often accompanies Derek to treatments even though his schoolwork suffers.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com by ZUMA Wire

February 6, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - After one of his cancer doctors recommended she contact hospice workers. CYNDIE FRENCH, doesn't tell her son DEREK MADSEN, 11, about the conversation, but retreats behind a closed door at home to cry. 'I don't think it's important to tell him,' she says. 'Why? What for?' Sensing her sadness, Derek tried to cheer up his mom.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

'No, Mom. I think we better use it to pay the rent.'
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February 9, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - Realizing that son, cancer victim, DEREK MADSEN 11, may never have an opportunity to get his driver's license, something he's told her he is anticipating, His mother CYNDIE FRENCH, defies the rules and lets him drive up and down their street in West Sacramento. On the same day, Cyndie met for the first time with hospice workers, and learned there is little time left for Derek.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

'I don't care! ...Take me home. ... I'm done, Mom! Are you listening to me? I'm done!'.
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March 8, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - CYNDIE FRENCH, always tries to have something at hand to take the sting out of her son, Derek's doctor appointments. On March 8th, after undergoing radiation treatment at the UC Davis Cancer Center, they make the most of a dollar can of Silly String - and Cyndie then meticulously cleans up every bit of the stuff from the ground. Cyndie is a big fan of the Dollar Store.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

April 24, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - CYNDIE FRENCH consoles her best friend, KELLY WHYSONG, left. Fearing Derek's time is near. Cyndie has written a letter to DEREK MADSEN about how brave he's been during his battle with cancer. She reads it to her youngest son repeatedly, hoping he can still understand.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

April 25, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - After placing a flower beside her son's head, a sobbing CYNDIE FRENCH, drops to the floor, as her best friend, KELLY WHYSONG, left, and another friend, NICK ROCHA, comfort her. Derek is to weak to acknowledge his mother's presence as she keeps a 24-hour vigil by his bed.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

April 26, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - DEREK MADSEN, 11, has a final burst of energy after days of CYNDIE FRENCH (his mother) keeping vigil at his bedside. She helps her anguished son walk, by holding up his pants as he returns to his bedroom. A cancerous tumor has distended Derek's stomach so far that his pants no longer fit. Another tumor in his brain impairs his eyesight making navigation difficult inside their rental home.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

April 28, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - DEREK MADSEN, 11, refuses to take pain medications because he fears damage to his organs. He rages at his mother, blaming her for not making him healthier. 'You have to calm down and help me help you,' mother CYNDIE FRENCH says.
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May 1, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - After days of almost no sleep while caring for son DEREK MADSEN, 11, CYNDIE FRENCH confronts longtime family friend ''Grandpa'' PATRICK DEGNAN, about whether he'll be able to help with rent and funeral expenses as Derek is caught in the middle. Cyndie hopes to set up a non-profit organization so families don't have to endure the same financial struggle and chaos they have experienced. 'I just wish that some of the percentage of money that goes to cancer research can be diverted to families going through this because many people will never benefit from the research,' says Cyndie.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

May 6, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - DEREK MADSEN, 11, kisses his mom with his 6-year-old sister, BRIANNA FRENCH-GATES, stands by, at West Sacrametno's Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. Wanting to contribute something to the cause and to ''give back,'' CYNDIE FRENCH recruited volunteers for the benefit. Before the race, Cyndie speaks to the crowd about her pride in her son's bravery during his battle with cancer. Before she pushes Derek around the track at River City High School to start the relay, he is given a survivor sash. 'When they put the sash on him, I was so proud of him, because I knew he had beat the odds,' she says.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

May 8, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - CYNDIE FRENCH holds her son DEREK MADSEN, 11. .. He is on medication that hinders his speech and keeps him awake at night. Cyndie spends nearly every moment of the day at his side, except for a few minutes while hospice nurses are with him. 'I was exhausted beyond belief but I had to do this. He would call my name and always expects me to be there,' Cyndie said.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee via ZUMA Wire

May 10, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - In an effort to get her son DEREK MADSEN, 11 outside, CYNDIE FRENCH wheels him through the front door passing by artwork and cards given to her son by classmates at Bridgeway Island Elementary School. ''Just like a newborn, he needs to get out and get some air,'' she says. It was his last trip outdoors.
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May 10, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - CYNDIE FRENCH 40, fights her emotions as she prepares to flush out her son DEREK MADSEN's 11, catheter with saline solution before hospice nurse SUE KIRKPATRICK, left, administers a sedative that will give the 11-year-old a peaceful death. 'I know in my heart I've done everything I can,' Cyndie says.
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May 10, 2006 - Sacramento, California, U.S. - CYNDIE FRENCH tearfully rocks her dying son, DEREK MADSEN, 11, as the song 'Because We Believe' plays on a CD. She sings along with Andrea Bocelli in a whispery voice. 'Once in every life/There comes a time/We walk out all alone/And into the light...' From left, family friends ASHLEY BERGER, AMY MORGAN and KELLY WHYSONG offer comfort as Cyndie tells Derek, ''It's okay, baby. I love you, little man. I love you, brave boy. I love you. I love you.'' Derek died soon after in his mother's arm.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire

May 19, 2006 - Fair Oaks, California, U.S. - CYNDIE FRENCH, 41, leads son DEREK MADSEN'S 11, casket to burial in Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks with assistance from her sons ANTHONY MOFFE, foreground, MICAH MOFFE, opposite him, and Vincent Morris, who is not visible, as well as several friends. 'I will forever carry your memory in my heart and remind others to give of their time, energy and support to other families like ours,' Cyndie says at Derek's funeral. Derek was buried in Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks, California.
© Renée C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com via ZUMA Wire