Tragic bond

Mary Beth P. Adomaitis

David Michael Junghans and Nikki Rae Ott never knew each other.

They were Huntington Beach residents, went to local schools, had many

friends and at different times in their lives, even lived across the

street from each other in the city’s Pacific Ranch neighborhood.

But the two of them shared more than they would ever know.

Within six months of each other in 1999 and 2000, David, 11, and

Nikki, 10, coincidentally died from the same rare form of brain cancer --

anaplastic astrocytoma of the brain stem -- something that affects only

about one in about 10,000 people. While David’s cancer had taken over his

system, his death was actually caused by a blood clot in the brain. But

it was their deaths that brought not only their families together, but

their communities as well.

Just ask Roberta Enlow.

For several years, this longtime resident has been friends with the

Junghans and Ott families. Her children went to school with David and

Nikki. They even played together. And for a tragedy such as a child’s

death to affect her family not once but twice in less than a year was

something that changed her life forever.

“This has been a journey for me in my lifetime,” she said, “that

lightning like this would strike twice.”

David passed away Oct. 9, 2000 about 16 months after he was diagnosed

with cancer. Nikki lost her battle within a year of being diagnosed. She

died March 27.

RAISING AWARENESS

After David’s death and while battling Nikki’s disease, Enlow got the

Junghan and Ott families in touch with each other.

And they’ve been sticking together ever since trying to raise not only

awareness for this type of brain cancer, but to try and get the

government to set aside more money for its research.

In June, the two families went to Washington, D.C., to meet with Rep.

Dana Rohrabacher to discuss more funding for this type of research.

“I don’t want this disease to be here in five years,” Lauren said.

Today, they are still continuing their fight.

According to statistics in the Brain Tumor Progress Review Report,

which was conducted by the National Cancer Institute, brain tumors are

now the leading cause of death from childhood cancer, accounting for 24%

of cancer-related deaths in 1997 among those 19 and younger.

Susan and Mike Junghans have also started a support group in Orange

County for families who have lost a child to cancer.

THE FIGHTER WITHIN

David Junghans was a student at Moffett Elementary School in April

1999 when he was first diagnosed with brain cancer. He also played roller

hockey for HB Surf.

“The doctors had given him three to six months to live,” said Susan

Junghans, David’s mother. “There is no cure for brain stem tumors.” After

rounds of medication, David started to get a little optimistic.

“He was really hopeful at first,” she added. “But then he saw that no

one could get him better. He was always a fighter.”

But David saw beyond his illness.

He didn’t give up learning or wanting to be with his family and

friends, including his sister, Nicole, 9.

For the last nine months of his life, David, was home-schooled, which

allowed him to spend time with his family, especially his mom.

“This gave us time to spend together,” Susan said. “We would go to

lunch together -- I just loved having him there.”

But soon the brain tumor took control of David’s life. Within months

of being diagnosed, his speech was slurred, and he started walking with a

limp. Because of the steroids he was taking to control the size of the

tumor, his face and body became bloated.

But his inner spirit was always bright.

He spent his days watching television and playing video and board

games. He never wanted to give up learning something new. That’s why the

Make-a-Wish Foundation granted David’s unusual request -- to watch his

doctor perform brain surgery.

And his wish came true.

In June 1999, David observed Dr. Michael Muhonen perform surgery on a

baby girl at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. It was successful.

A few short months later, David passed away at the same hospital. He

was buried at Pacific View Cemetery in Newport Beach. A bench with a

plaque has been created in his memory at Drew Park in Huntington Beach.

A SHINING SPIRIT

Nikki Ott loved gymnastics. For several years, this Perry Elementary

School youngster thrived at what she loved doing best. It was through

this sport that in May 2000 her family, her parents and 12-year-old

brother, Matt, realized something was wrong.

“You could see it in her eyes, nose and mouth,” said Lauren Ott,

Nikki’s mom. “Within a matter of days, she went from being normal to

having this wrong with her.”

After seeing numerous doctors to determine what was causing her

symptoms the Otts worst nightmare was realized -- Nikki had a brain stem

tumor, and it was inoperable.

She underwent radiation to try and help shrink it. But while those

efforts failed, her enthusiasm never did.

“She really stuck it out like a trooper,” Lauren said. “She rarely

complained and was a joy to be with.”

At church one week, Lauren said her daughter told the congregation

about her disease.

“I have brain cancer and may not be here much longer,” Lauren said

Nikki told everyone. “Please take care of my mom.”

But that was the kind of girl she was.

She never let her cancer wear her down, Lauren said.

“She was like 10 going on 20,” she added. “She was always so positive.

She was so thankful to be here.”

For her Make-a-Wish, Nikki got to travel with Enlow, a flight

attendant, on one of her trips. And she loved every minute of it.

A few months later, she passed away at home. Her ashes were scattered

in May over Newport Harbor.

In her memory, Perry Elementary has set up a scholarship program for

students, which includes a $50 savings bond. The youngster was also

honored in May during the Character Counts! awards ceremony that honored

children for their commitment to school and the community.

Her parents, Lauren and John, were there to accept on her behalf.

FYI

To learn more about this fatal disease call (714) 969-5635.