"Just because your kid says he has a headache, doesn’t mean it’s just a headache. There’s more to a headache sometimes," said Anthony Wade, Sr.

He should know. Last January, his son, Anthony Jr. was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor and immediately flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

One might think it would be awkward to talk about something so personal and scary as cancer with a teenager and his dad. But, this conversation was comfortable - they’ve lived with cancer for many months now, and they’ve learned to accept its existence, although not its domination. The two spoke honestly, yet with a gently irrepressible humor. And the relationship between father and son was obviously built on the kind of respect that only two warriors who have shared battles and enemies can experience.

Anthony had been having severe headaches for a while. As a matter of fact, he had an appointment for an MRI scheduled two days later. But, when he suddenly started throwing up uncontrollably, the doctors at the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Emergency Room decided not to wait, and did a CAT Scan. According to his dad, that saved Anthony’s life.

"The doctors said he wouldn’t have lived two more days,” Anthony’s dad said.

Anthony had surgery the next morning at 6 am. It lasted five hours. When it was finished, almost all his motor skills were gone. He had to relearn how to talk, feed himself, walk. After the surgery, he had about six weeks of radiation. An hour and half a day, five days a week.

Now, Anthony does chemo every six weeks, then he’ll go in every two weeks, then every week for blood tests, platelet counts… "There’s a lot to it,” Anthony’s dad said. "It’s not just cut and dry.”

"I think the radiation was a lot worse than the chemo is,” Anthony said. "The radiation had me very sick afterwards. The whole time I was feeling it. Chemo, I can go in there, do my appointment, walk out feeling fine.”

Before his surgery, Anthony, who is 6’4” tall, weighed about 215 lbs., lifted weights and played football. But, his illness took its toll, dropping him to less than 140 lbs. His steady recovery has returned nearly 30 lbs., and he’s feeling stronger now.

Enter the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Although many people assume that only children with a terminal condition are offered a wish, according to the website, "To receive a wish, the child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition – i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy.” Anthony fit that description perfectly.

Jules Clark, is the MakeAWish volunteer who is the "Wish Grantor”. She’s partnering with Jonathan Gagnon in completing the details of Anthony’s wish.

Jules Clark, right, presents the tickets and information packet to Anthony Sr. and Anthony Jr.. Jonathan Gagnon and his daughter, Genevieve, from Make-A-Wish are on the right.

Now, that wish is about to come true. On September 16th, Anthony and his mom and dad and two brothers will be leaving for a weeklong trip to Hawaii. The entire family is more than excited. And they’ve got plans: A luau, a submarine ride, a trip to Pearl Harbor, snorkeling in Turtle Bay. Anthony will also swim with dolphins, an activity his mom has arranged.

"Make-A-Wish has helped me dramatically,” Anthony said. "They’ve given me something to look forward to. Something to hold on and fight for, you know?”

Not that Anthony’s a quitter. Far from it. In just about 9 months, he’s gone from a razor-sharp close encounter with death, to gaining weight and doing mild workouts. But, he doesn’t take all the credit on his own.

"If my parents weren’t there for me, I don’t see how I would have gotten through this,” Anthony said. "Like, my whole life, I don’t think I would have been able to do anything without my dad or my mom.”

"Like I said, he’s a fighter, and he’s always had a good attitude,” Anthony’s dad said with a proud smile. "He just doesn’t give up.”

"If this ever does happen to anyone, don’t give up,” Anthony advises. "Keep your head up. Otherwise, you just ain’t gonna make it. You’ve just got to keep your head up.”

Meet Anthony and his dad in the video below. You'll be inspired!