School plans early graduation for teen in final stages of cancer

CHESTERTON | Nineteen-year-old Bret Laczynski stared at the big-screen TV in his home as he rested on the couch.

He looked over at his mother and said, "I love you more."

His quiet demeanor and loving spirit hide the fact that his battle against cancer is reaching its final stages. As family members prepare to enlist the help of hospice nurses, school officials are planning a special graduation ceremony for Bret, about four months ahead of schedule.

Up to age 10, Bret was a typical boy who liked hanging out with friends, playing soccer and basketball and watching the Cubs.

"He was a straight-A student," said his mother, Lisa Hood. "And just a normal, healthy little boy."

Then he was diagnosed with Stage 4 medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer.

"A month prior to this (diagnosis) he had been vomiting, had an unsteady gait and had double vision," Hood said.

Since then, he developed adrenal insufficiency, growth insufficiency and neurological programs, Hood said.

He doesn't talk much, but he always tells his mom and his dad, Todd Laczynski, of Valparaiso, that he loves them.

"This has been such a rough journey. He had to go through months of chemotherapy and brain and spinal radiation. But he always seemed to bounce back."

For 10 years, he amazed the doctors and nurses who cared for him, Hood said.

"He has been basically stable, and in February of last year we were told he only had to go to the doctor once a year, and that was amazing," she said.

"But then in November of 2011 we noticed some subtle changes, like he would just look around the room and stare and then we noticed more seizures. And then we found a bump on the back of his head."

The bump was biopsied on Jan. 17, and he was diagnosed with chondroblastic osteosarcoma, another form of cancer.

"It is too dangerous to remove and too aggressive for chemotherapy, so now we just make him comfortable. Hospice will be coming over to assist," Hood said.

"We take this day by day," Laczynski said. "You gotta have faith. And you don't think about the prognosis."

Before he got sick, Bret attended Liberty Elementary School, then he was home-schooled.

Now, the young man, just 5 feet 1 inch tall, says very little and takes a long time to process his words.

Bret sleeps most of the day. He attends Special Education Learning Facility in Valparaiso, but only about two times a week now.

He would have graduated in May, but because of the recent diagnosis, the school has moved up his graduation to Feb. 10.

"We can't say enough about the school," Laczynski said. "He loves going there, and they treat him like he is one of their own."

Bret has two younger brothers, Bailey, 16, and Cody, 7.

"We have been very honest with both boys, and Bailey has really stepped up as the big brother," Hood said.

His parents know what lies ahead of them will be difficult.

"We just want to cherish every moment with him," Hood said.