'Keep him in your prayers': Community supporting 17-year-old from Monroe battling cancer

On Sept. 5, Christopher Gallaher, 17, started his senior year at Monroe High School, where he wrestled and was a member of two bands.

On Sept. 19, after months of pain in his chest, his mom, Adrienne Walker of LaSalle, took him to the University of Michigan hospital’s emergency room. Christopher also is the son of Jason Gallaher of Monroe.

“We’d seen multiple doctors (since February),” Walker said.

Previous doctors treated an enlarged spleen, and they took out his diseased gall bladder. They treated fluid around his heart. Still the pain continued.

“Nothing worked,” Walker said. “We went to a football game on a Thursday night. He said, ‘Feel my lymph nodes. I think I have cancer.' He just put two and two together."

Days later, they were at U-M.

“They immediately worked him up for cancer. We had a diagnosis within several hours, not the type, but they said there were very confident it was cancer and most likely Hodgkin’s lymphoma because of the scans,” Walker said.

A biopsy confirmed their suspicion

Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to the Mayo Clinic, "is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ-fighting immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control, causing swollen lymph nodes and growths throughout the body."

“Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects the nodes in the chest area. Chest pains are the prevalent symptom. For his age, it is very rare. It usually affects older adults,” Walker said.

Christopher’s cancer is at stage 4. It has moved into his lungs.

“They’ll do chemo and radiation for that,” Walker said.

Cancer doesn’t run in the family, and, despite the chest pain, Christopher had been active.

“We never had cancer in our family. He went to wrestling practice until days before the diagnosis,” Walker said.

Christopher had to switch to a virtual school program and had to leave the MHS marching and concert bands.

“He turned his sax back in,” Walker said.

Starting chemotherapy

Four days after the ER visit, Christopher began six months of aggressive chemotherapy. Now back at home, he's going to treatments and taking chemo medication and high-dose steroids. He’ll likely also need radiation.

“He’s done great and only had one bout of nausea. Even with the high dose of steroids, this kid is constantly thinking about food,” Walker said.

Doctors hope that after six months of treatment, Christopher's cancer will go into remission.

“He’ll have to be checked frequently. Some of the chemo causes other types of cancers,” Walker said.

Change of plans

Cancer has forced Christopher to change his career plans for now. The day before his diagnosis, he met with a Navy recruiter.

“He’s always been interested in all of the armed forces. As a kid he collected memorabilia. He just studied it,” Walker said. “He tested very high on the entrance exam. He was going to sign with the Navy to be a corpsman in the medical portion. You need to be five years in remission to join. He’s going to go with Plan B, nurse or doctor.”

Walker said many in Monroe County have been supportive of Christopher and their family.

“Monroe Public Schools has been phenomenal,” she said. “He was upset because he wanted to take a patient care technician class in Health Occupations. He was really excited to take that, but it’s not offered virtually. They are working with him to help him do that.”

MHS cheerleaders recently hosted a Miracle Minute to raise money. The high school football and volleyball teams and the band also held fundraisers.

“Everyone’s been wonderful. The teachers all reached out. He’s been visited by the wrestling coaches,” Walker said.

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Help from the Monroe community

The community also has been supportive.

The family’s church, Carleton Assembly of God, and its youth pastor, have started fundraisers. A family member set up a GoFundMe page. A. Riley Photography took free homecoming photos for Christopher, since he couldn't attend MHS' homecoming dance last Saturday.

“I work for ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, and my coworkers have donated money as well as vacation time so I can be off with Chris,” Walker said. “They are also hosting a benefit at the Little Brown Jug Nov. 2.”

Christopher's family is grateful for the support.

"We’re very appreciative of what everyone has done," Walker said. "We’re very faith-based. Please keep him in your prayers."

Christopher’s GoFundMe page is at gofundme.com/f/help-fight-christophers-battle-against-lymphoma.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Community supporting 17-year-old from Monroe battling cancer