Our Tommy, a child of love.

Tommy was a mischievous boy, funny, kind, beautiful angel who brought great joy to everyone around him.

When Tommy was three years and eight months old (November 2012) we noticed that he was not feeling well. He lost his appetite and when he finally was able to eat something, he would vomit. He would also become very tired and sleepy.

We rushed Tommy to the doctors offices, but despite all the worrying symptoms, he was not diagnosed with anything unusual.

On the December 5th, 2012, Tommy had developed a sharp squint and was cross-eyed in his right eye. We took him immediately to the doctor, who urgently referred us the Children’s Hospital “Dana” which is situated at Ichilov Medical Center of Tel Aviv.

Tommy was sent for an MRI. During the testing, the doctor called us and told us that there is an unusual finding in the brain, and that we must immediately perform surgery to relieve the intracranial pressure.

A week later, Tommy's sister was born, Darya.

Tommy was diagnosed with a rare malignant brain tumor called “pineoblastoma”.

Since the size of the tumor doubled within three weeks, Tommy had to undergo another brain surgery to insert a drain in order to prevent an increase in intracranial pressure.

Tommy went through thirty radiation treatments, and after a six-week break, he went through four cycles of aggressive chemotherapy accompanied by an autologous transplantation of bone marrow.

Each cycle lasted about a month in an isolated room in the hospital. Afterwards we would return home for a few days, getting ready for the next cycle.

The entire time, Tommy was an inspiration to us all. He was smiling, theatrical, charming and graceful to his parents, family and the medical staff. Everyone in the department knew Tommy. The doctors told us they would argue between them who would enter Tommy’s room.

He in turn prepared a new surprise for the doctors. One time he dressed up as a pirate, and when one of the doctors entered the room, Tommy called “Ahoy! Dr. Levine”. Another time he dressed up as a clown and surprised others with a blinking red nose. Each time he showed  the team another gift he had received, the staff reciprocated with kisses and hugs. Tommy never complained about the treatment. He was a true hero who sought and received an explanation before each treatment, while not forgetting to ask: “So do it quick, ok…"

In the hemato-oncology department at the “Dana” hospital, the staff treated Tommy as family and let us feel at home. We felt so proud of Tommy.

The team embraced and protected him, and when we would arrive for check-ups, we always felt like movie stars.

On July 3rd, Tommy returned home after completing four rounds of transplantation. We were happy but had deep concern in our hearts.

After about two months, on September 19th in the midst of the festival of Sukkot, Tommy did not feel well.

We rushed him into “Dana” and realized that same day that we had lost the battle against the horrible disease. The disease burst out, and after four and a half weeks, on the 23rd of October 2013, Tommy passed away.

Even during that time Tommy continued to be an angel. During that period, it was as if there was a parade into the room where Tommy lay, while all the staff who treated him and all who knew him at the hospital came to say goodbye with weeping eyes.

When he saw that his mother sad he whispered "We should buy mother flowers to make her happy".

Dazed from medicine, he imagined he was flying kites with his brother Tal which he loved more than anyone: “Tal’ika higher, higher. Good job Tal…”, he whispered. He also imagined that he is doing magic tricks “Abra KaDabra AlaKazum…” he whispered. He did not forget to be polite and would cover his mouth with his hand when he would cough. With all his remaining strength, he tried to help his mother and father bathe him in his bed.

And when he felt bad and saw us crying he tried to make us lough and put his hands in his ears and stuck out his tongue.

As if sensing the end was near, the day before he passed away he parted from us with the song "My Dear Mother", and said he loves us the most in the world. Just before his death, he said the words "wait, wait, wait... ", as if someone wanted to take him to another world and he wanted to remain in this world for just a few more moments.

Tom, We love you with all our spirit and soul and to lose you is undescribale but we fill thousands time luckier to have known you even though it was for such a short time.

We are so proud of you and miss you, our little angel.