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Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009

Family marks Kameron Huddleston's 19th birthday

Football player has been unconscious since recovering from knee surgery.

FRESNO -- It was a celebration fit for a prince.

And to that end, it was a celebration fit for Kameron Huddleston, the Merced College sophomore on life support at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno.

Friends and family gathered in a private room in the hospital Tuesday evening to celebrate Huddleston's 19th birthday.

"I've been blessed. I've had 19 wonderful years, and my son and I have a wonderful relationship," his mother Margie Huddleston said, recalling his smile and kinship with his sister Britney.

"We've had a good time. He's such a great kid. A blessing. A true blessing.

"This year, we're just staying together. We're going to have a family dinner and talk about all the good times we've had. That's what we're going to do -- be together.

"We're going to sing him 'Happy Birthday,' and hold hands and keep praying."

Kameron has been in a coma in the Intensive Care Unit since Aug. 7. He was admitted that day for surgery on his right knee, but complications arose while in recovery later that night.

Kameron suffered flash pulmonary edema, meaning his lungs filled with fluid.

A tube was inserted to help with the drainage, and he was sedated to protect his repaired knee and the breathing device.

He's been in a coma ever since. At some point, the family says, oxygen was cut off from his brain.

As of Tuesday evening -- a week after Margie was told her only son had no brain activity -- Kameron remained in critical condition, the hospital's Director of Communications Kelley Sanchez said.

That didn't stop the Huddleston camp from staging a birthday party to remember.

The private room was decorated with balloons and cards.

Elementary school teachers with the Dos Palos/Oro Loma Joint Unified School District sent along snacks and other goodies with Kameron's grandmother, Mary Henderson, and aunt, Roberta Williams.

And Kameron's friends brought strawberry-frosted cupcakes -- his all-time favorite.

"Oh man, he loves cupcakes," Margie said.

"Kameron loves anything sweet. He's not a chocolate kid. Strawberry or vanilla, if it's sweet, Kameron will like it ... probably because he's so sweet."

Guests literally flew in from all parts of the map.

A caravan of supporters made the trip down Highway 99 from Merced County, while Kameron's uncle and cousin, Marlon and Christopher Henderson, caught a flight out of the Maryland area.

"My baby touched a lot of lives," Margie said. "I'm so thankful to the community and the families who have allowed their loved ones to be on the road.

"At their age, they could be doing so many other things, but they come here like it's the place to be. Looking around here, you wouldn't know it was a hospital."

The guests punctuated the festivities with a group prayer inside the private room, while a close circle of friends and family sang "Happy Birthday" to Kameron in the ICU.

"Margie has always done a great job of making sure the kids' birthdays are special," Kameron's uncle Allen Huddleston Sr. said.

Every day is special, she said. Birthdays are just a little more.

"Yes, it's his birthday and definitely a reason to celebrate," Margie said. "But from the day I was blessed with Kameron and his sister, Britney, every day has been special.

"I want everyone to know, those with sisters and brothers and moms, you make sure you hug them, kiss them and tell them that you love them.

"Tomorrow isn't promised. You can't miss a day. Yes, his birthday is wonderful, but we try to make every day special for each other."

James Burns is sports editor of the Sun-Star. He can be reached at jburns@mercedsun-star.com.