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Mom trying to block son's chemotherapy treatments
A judge rules a friend can assume custody of a 13-year-old undergoing chemo - against his mother's wishes - for a rare form of leukemia.
Nicholas Gundersen was diagnosed with mixed phenotype acute leukemia, also known as MPAL. He is at the center of a battle between Suffolk County and his mother, Candace Gundersen. Photo Credit: News 12
A Suffolk County judge ruled Friday that a family friend can assume custody of a 13-year-old boy who has a rare form of leukemia and for weeks has been the subject of a bitter tug-of-war between his mother and local authorities.
Nicholas Gundersen has been in NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola undergoing court-ordered chemotherapy for an aggressive and potentially deadly blood cancer known as mixed phenotype acute leukemia. He now is scheduled to be discharged, his mother, Candace Gundersen, said following a court hearing Friday.
The boy, who is to continue chemotherapy as an outpatient, has been at the epicenter of a medical drama that has been unfolding for months in Suffolk courtrooms and two major hospitals. He is deemed to be in remission, but still requires treatment, according to his doctors.
Suffolk County’s Child Protective Services assumed legal responsibility for the boy in September after a Family Court judge ordered cancer treatment. The boy's mother prefers "nontoxic" alternative care, such as healthy foods, juices and supplements.
Gundersen was distraught Friday following the ruling by Family Court Judge Matthew G. Hughes in Central Islip. She said the case goes back to court in December.
"I am not happy. I was not given an opportunity to have him returned to me," Gundersen said following the judge's decision.
Nicholas and Gundersen will live in the Huntington home of Sarah Murphy, a friend of Gundersen's who has been awarded custodial responsibility of Nicholas. Murphy has agreed to abide by doctors' orders regarding the boy's cancer therapy, said Elliot Schlissel, Gundersen's lawyer.
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