GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., -- 5-year-old Oscar Broca III has fought and beat cancer multiple times and he's still fighting. This week his family received the devastating news that the disease is back, and this time there is nothing doctors can do.
"He'll tell you that he's tired of cancer, but he's willing to fight," Amanda Pastor, Oscar's mom told FOX 17 News. "I don't break because he don't break. He is one of the strongest people I've ever met in my life."
Pastor explained it's been two years of "ups and downs" since Oscar was first diagnosed in November 2012 with brain cancer, or Medulloblastoma, after experiencing severe headaches.
"That's when they found the mass in the back of his head, it was the size of an egg," she explained. "He had just turned three."
Pastor said Oscar fought and beat it, and then beat cancer again when he relapsed a few months later. In May 2014 they were blindsided on Oscar's Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World by the news that Oscar was sick once again. Doctors told the family it was a second cancer, Burkitt Lymphoma, in the stomach.
Oscar fought and won again. But November brought more signs that he may be sick again. He was admitted to Helen DeVos Children's Hospitaland the family's worse fear came true. Oscar had not only relapsed, this time doctors told Pastor they had no way to make him better. She's not sure how much time she has left to spend with her precious son his holiday season.
"It hurts because we're big on Christmas and he loves Christmas," she said. "Pretty much we take hour by hour, day by day and go from that."
Pastor said she has quit her job to stay by Oscar's side. Oscar's father and younger sister are also constantly by his side. Pastor admits things are "tight" as they travel back and forth from Muskegon and contend with mounting medical expenses.
Without her knowing, Pastor's sister established a "Go Fund Me" account, to raise money to help Oscar and his family. The online fundraiser has brought in more than $1,800 in just a few days.
Pastor told FOX 17 News her family is grateful for all the support.
"I love it. I love that he can make people just want to be there for him. I'm blessed to have so many people that haven't met him love him," she said. "I look up to him. He's my hero. And he's not just my hero, but he's several people's hero."
Pastor said Oscar was set to begin radiation Friday to help alleviate some pain. She's praying that the family will get the gift of more time with Oscar this holiday season.
To help Oscar and his family, click here.
