I met Eleni Grigori, the mother of young hero Heracles, while he was battling his own ‘Dragon’. At first, I struggled to find the right words. As a mother myself, I didn’t know how to face her. But over time, I saw that Eleni is strong and full of faith. She never lost hope for her child.
Eleni knew better than anyone that Heracles would defeat the Dragon and win. And he did! Today, he enjoys his childhood just like other kids his age. Heracles is a sweet boy who captures your heart instantly. His bright eyes show both intelligence and courage.
INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTINA PELEKANOU
Despite many hospital visits and chemotherapy, he never lost his love for games and fun. He dreamed of meeting his favorite Omonia football player, Loizos Loizou, and he made it happen. He wanted to be on the field with his heroes, and he did it!
The Dragon never scared him. It was his parents who defeated it with faith, strength, and love. Together, they faced the invisible cancer dragon and showed that even the toughest battles can be won with courage, love, and family support.
With his innocent smile and joyful spirit, Heracles became a symbol of hope for all kids fighting their own battles. Watching him fight like a little hero taught me that faith, love, and determination can make any challenge seem possible. Real heroes like Heracles are all around us – often hidden in hospital rooms.
How did you learn about Heracles’ diagnosis? What did you feel at that moment?
His testicle had swollen, so we rushed to the doctor. Honestly, we thought it would be nothing serious; we expected just some inflammation. At Makarios Hospital, they told us it was a tumor. In that moment, we felt our world crumble.
What were your first thoughts when you realized what was happening?
Like any parent would feel, my first thought was whether our child would survive. This brought a lot of tears and anxiety about the unknown future.
Why did you call it ‘Dragon’? Was it Heracles’ idea to name his illness?
Our Heracles was diagnosed with a tumor at age 2. He didn’t understand much then. We told him we needed to remove the bad ball because it was harmful and keep only the good one. At 3.5 years old, when diagnosed with metastasis, he began to understand more; Mr. Hickman had to be placed for chemotherapy treatments.
This would take away his joy for water games; I had to explain there was a Cancer Dragon inside him that needed to be defeated. I had a fairy tale about ‘The Labors of Hercules’, so I compared him to Hercules who had strong arms; he started seeing it as a story. Just like Hercules faced challenges with strength, he too would take on ‘the 13th Labor’ by defeating an invisible Cancer Dragon. That’s how I explained it to him; he began to accept this idea.
What helped you find strength during those tough early days?
Honestly, I never expected to find such strength. I believe God gives strength through prayers. I can’t explain where my inner strength came from or from other parents; entering pediatric oncology makes you feel like family; you realize you’re not alone!
Which part of this entire experience was the hardest for you?
There were several difficult parts for us: the first diagnosis, then the metastasis. I consider the hardest part was the relapse. I remember that day we were at the pediatric oncology unit. Four months had passed since our last chemotherapy, and we had a scheduled appointment for an MRI. We were preparing a small party at the unit because we were going to ring the victory bell… I will never forget it.
One phone call overturned everything… They informed us that the cancer had returned again. This was even harder than the first diagnosis. I should mention that day was also my older son’s birthday, where he was waiting for us at home to celebrate, which unfortunately didn’t happen because we had to stay at the oncology unit for more tests. The other equally hard part for us was when we had to go to Germany for more specialized treatments, and our family was split up. It was quite hard to be with one child in the hospital while the other child stayed behind and constantly asked for you.
What gave you courage when you saw your child going through difficult moments?
Only prayer! The truth is that when our Iraklis was having a hard time in the hospital, there was nothing else that gave us courage.
Were there moments when Iraklis inspired you with his courage? What were they like?
Yes, several. I remember one day he told me: “I will endure and do whatever it takes to beat the cancer dragon, and I will be a hero.”
What emotions did one see him expressing most intensely?
From the first day we entered the hospital in Germany, our Iraklis was very reactive. He didn’t want anyone entering his room. He didn’t want doctors, nor nurses. He wanted to return back to Cyprus. I remember him telling me: “Mom, take me to our Makarios in Cyprus, I don’t like this hospital.” It took several months for him to get used to it.
How did he live his daily life in the hospital or during treatments?
Generally, we were isolated. We were diagnosed during the most difficult period, during which the COVID pandemic existed. Unfortunately, visits were prohibited in the hospital.
In the pediatric oncology unit, he made several friends. When they felt well, they would go out into the hallway and play with toy cars, with the doctors and the nurses. This was our daily life at Makarios Hospital. In Germany, it was much more difficult. In the hospital due to COVID, we were constantly in our room and spent the day doing some crafts or watching movies. He needed contact with small children, but unfortunately, they didn’t allow it. That’s why, as soon as we got out of the hospital, we went for walks in parks and fed the ducks in the lakes. He liked that very much.
What managed to make him smile even in the most difficult moments?
When he saw his father and his brother, who were far away from us, via video calls, his psychology changed.
Were there questions he asked you that made you see the world through his own eyes?
There were several questions when he started to understand. When we were in the hospital, he would ask me: “Why am I in the hospital and my friends are at school playing?” Even to this day, he asks us: “Why did I have to have a cancer dragon and constantly go for tests and miss games with my friends?”
How do you feel now seeing Iraklis well?
We feel gratitude to Christ and the Virgin Mary that everything went well, but the worry about whether the cancer might return again will never leave us.
What did you learn about yourself and motherhood through this ordeal?
Through all this, I came out strong, something I never believed I would. I was always anxious about trivial things. That has changed. A mother endures everything to see her child well.
If you wanted to speak to other mothers going through something similar, what would you want to tell them?
To have faith! God is great. Also, to trust the doctors and nurses of the pediatric oncology unit, who do an excellent job, and to know that they are not alone in the struggle they are waging.
