Pennsbury's Sam Labrecque has learned to take it slow

FAIRLESS HILLS — Sam Labrecque had never heard of synovial sarcoma until he was diagnosed with the rare form of soft-tissue cancer on Feb. 7.

After having what doctors believed was a thyroglossal duct cyst in his neck removed at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, Labrecque and parents Jeff and Ellen learned it was actually a golf-ball-sized growth.

"We were just kind of numb," recalled Jeff Labrecque.

Following the initial shock, Sam, a 17-year-old senior at Pennsbury High School, has consistently taken a practical, positive approach that has become contagious to those around him.

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"I was very curious," Sam Labrecque said. "'What happens next? What do I have to do now?' I was fortunate that when they told me the bad news (that) they had already removed it. I've always been very involved. I'm the type of person to keep asking questions."

He's been through two of six rounds of chemotherapy at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in an effort to remove any remaining microscopic cells, yet hasn't missed any Falcons' baseball games. Labrecque was in the lineup at first base and batting fourth on April 5 against Council Rock South, despite it being just three days after the end of the second three-day chemo treatment. He played his customary flawless first base in Tuesday's 6-0 home win over Bensalem.

The chemo is typically administered three weeks apart, but Labrecque arranged for the second round to be moved back a week in order to make the Myrtle Beach trip with his teammates over spring break.

"When I got through two rounds of chemo, (I thought) 'I can do this,' " he said. "It's very easy to be optimistic. … I'm trying to live my life as normal as I can. I'm still able to play baseball (and I'm) still in school. I think I'm doing pretty well."

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The chemo has caused the 6-foot-3, 165-pound Labrecque to lose a few pounds ("I was a pretty skinny guy to begin with," he said) but he believes its impact has been relatively minimal.

Aware that he was likely to lose his hair, Labrecque got a buzz cut before starting chemo March 2. Once it started falling out, he went to Yardley Family Haircutters after hours and his barber, David Wells, shaved his head ("I think it looks better to be bald than patchy," he said).

Wells is just one in a lengthy list of people Labrecque is thankful for because of what they've done for him and his loved ones. That list includes the numerous folks who have dropped off meals at the family's Yardley home.

"My (baseball) coaches, barber and teachers are all extremely helpful," he said. "It makes everything so much easier to live my life as normal as possible."

A self-described "more scientifically-oriented person," Labrecque has realized focusing more on the here and now works best for him.

"I think I was always a somewhat-optimistic person," Labrecque said. "I learned to focus on things day by day. When it first started, I was rushing to try to get the scan as soon as possible and get through it as fast as I can. (Today), my approach is enjoying each day. I think that's probably what's changed — I'm taking it slow. I'm focusing on this practice, this homework assignment, this game."

And it's working. His teammates marvel at how he's handled everything.

"He's one of the most level-headed kids I've ever met," said senior third baseman Joe Tiroly, who has been playing ball with Labrecque since Morrisville Little League at the age of 8. "He's so positive and optimistic all the time. If I went through that situation, I'd be so down.

"He's just an incredible person and one of my dear friends. I've known him so long. He's always been that kind of kid you can go to and just talk to. He's smart and he's logical."

Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci raves about every aspect of Labrecque.

"He's brilliant," Pesci said. "He got 1,550 on his SAT and (some of the) kids jokingly call him 'LaGenius.' He's a great kid. He's quiet, but he's a leader whenever you need something.

"I had a conversation with him and his parents and I said we'll treat every obstacle like an injury. We want him in our lineup. If for some reason he can't perform, we'll treat it like we would with any other player."

Pennsbury is hosting a Coaches vs. Cancer event for its May 5 game against Neshaminy. Pesci is encouraging other Bucks/Mont schools to do the same with their games that day, which Labrecque thinks is a terrific idea.

"It's great," Labrecque said. "It's so nice to know that people care and that I'm really not alone."

While there are some obstacles, Labrecque repeatedly chooses to be pragmatic, appreciative and endlessly upbeat.

"My treatments will be done in June," Labrecque said. "My hair will definitely grow back. I'll be back to normal. I'm extremely confident."

That mindset doesn't surprise his dad.

"When there's bad news, he doesn't flinch and just says 'Tell me what we have to do to fix this,'" Jeff Labrecque said. "It's been pretty amazing to see someone absorb that type of information and stay so positive about things.

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"I'm sure he has acknowledged (the scarier aspects of this disease). He hasn't let it (affect his day-to-day attitude). To see him be so brave and intelligent through all of this has been reaffirming."

He would like to play baseball in college but has yet to choose a school because he's immersed in his health and the Falcons' season. Pennsbury is 6-1 (3-1 in the Suburban One League Patriot Division) heading into Monday's road meeting with Council Rock North.

The next round of chemo is set for April 22-24, with defending SOL Patriot champion Pennsbury scheduled to visit Souderton on April 25. Labrecque is determined to be back for that game and looking forward to the April 29 Senior Night contest against Hopewell Valley Central at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.

And then there's the rest of the spring season for the Falcons and Labrecque, which should include the District One Class 6A playoffs and perhaps a return trip to the state playoffs, followed by his graduation and college.

"Hopefully, this is just one scary chapter in a novel that is a wonderful life," Jeff Labrecque said.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsbury's Labrecque takes optimistic approach to scary disease