On Friday, Jan. 8, Jake Meador, 20 days shy of his seventh birthday, started complaining about severe stomach pains so his mother took him to St. Mary's Hospital. A CT Scan was performed and showed fluid in his abdominal region which they felt was blood. The hospital immediately contacted Georgetown University Hospital and it was decided that he needed to be transported there for further diagnostics.

At first, the doctors thought that Jake may have suffered some sort of internal trauma to cause the internal fluid and bleeding, but after a few days Jake's conditioned worsened and a laparoscopy procedure was performed to determine what exactly was going on inside of him.

After the procedure, the doctors discovered that the young patient had developed a blood form of cancer which had spread throughout Jake's entire abdominal area. Further tests revealed that Jake suffered from Burkitt Lymphoma at an intermediate stage in which the doctors say gives Jake about an 80 percent chance of full recovery.

More tests were performed to determine if cancer had metastasized into Jake's bones or other areas of the body. Jakes spinal fluid results came back negative but the bone marrow results did show less than 5 percent cancer cells present.

While the spinal tap was taken to test Jake's bone marrow, the first dose of Chemotherapy was administered directly into his spinal cord area followed by another dose administered by form of IV later that day.

Burkitt Lymphoma is very aggressive and fast growing cancer. However, it is receptive to chemotherapy and positive results are almost immediate. Jake’s chemotherapy which started on Friday, Jan. 15 has already brought great improvements to his condition. By Tuesday, Jan. 19, he was well enough to come off the ventilator and most of the tubes that were connected to his body were removed.

Jake woke up from being heavily sedated over the previous five days and to everyone's surprise was very pleasant and full of smiles and kind words. He was very tired, but in good spirits and very little pain.

Jake continues to rest and awaits further treatment. A PET scan will be done on Thursday, Jan. 21 and further chemotherapy treatments will continue within the next week. Jake's treatment will continue for around five months from start to finish which means he has a very hard road of recovery ahead of him.

Jake in happier days just weeks before being diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma.

Jake’s parents are keeping a website up to date at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacobmeador/mystory where those interested can find more information and follow Jake’s status. The Elks Lodge website is also trying to help the family with medical expenses and seeks donations for the cause at http://www.bpoe2092.org/jake.htm.

Catch a video of Jake the way he was here.

The Elks have tentatively planned a benefit with a band to be held at the it’s California Lodge on Feb. 20. As planned. tickets will include the band and perhaps food. The tentative benefit details are still being ironed out. Those interested may keep track at both of the above listed Web sites.