Baby Isaiah's Journey through life.
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Isaiah Alexander Surs was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma, an aggressive rare type of primary brain tumor, on Jan 7th, 2017. His tumor was found December 31st, 2016 and was 99% resected on Jan 3, 2017 at Loma Linda Childrens Hospital.
Following resection of his tumor, Isaiah was in a coma. His brain was still having trouble draining fluid, he had a severe case of hydrocephalus which required him to have his second surgery, where they placed an internal shunt in his brain to help drain the fluid after the external shunt he received upon arriving to LLCH his first night wasn’t really helping. After that surgery, since he was unable to breathe on his own at the time, due to excess swelling in the brain (and being intubated prior to arriving to LLCH), he underwent yet two more surgeries where he received his trach and g-tube. After these surgeries, Isaiah recovered and started to wake up, he first started to move his toes, then his eyes. Since he was awake, he was able to start his treatment for his cancer. He received 33 rounds of proton radiation at Loma Linda, and after he completed his treatment, his MRI had been NED. This was good news, however, this wasn’t the end. Loma Linda transferred Isaiah to Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital toward the end of April, where he still is currently today. Due to being on a ventilator while he is sleeping, he was unable to do rehabilitation in L.A., which was where he was originally going to be sent. The reason for this GoFundMe is to bring him home, where we feel he would get more attention and be with his family in a home setting. In order for us to discharge him from this hospital, we are required to take classes which will teach us how to care for his trach and g-tube, as well as CPR. We are definitely willing to do this, however since we don’t have a vehicle at the time, and are over 50+ miles away, being there 5 days a week to take these classes is hard. After taking the classes, we have to find a home that will be suitable for him and the nurses who would be coming to care for him 16 hours out of the day. He would need his own room, and for it to be modified to Loma Linda’s Ventilator Checklist standards, which is very difficult to find in the situation we are in. Prior to this, we lost all of our savings and have had the worst of luck with transportation. We are required to relocate closer to Loma Linda to be closer to the ventilator clinics and all of the follow-up clinics for his care, but most importantly Loma Linda University Medical Center itself, in case (God forbid) he relapses and needs emergency care. His big brother misses him, we miss him, we know that he would be better off at home. And not only that, but with a prognosis that is unsure, and a diagnosis that is so serious, time is uncertain and we don’t know what could happen tomorrow. We wouldn’t want to lose him and lose all this time with him.
Prior to his diagnosis, Isaiah was a thriving, healthy toddler. He was the completion to our family, and without him, our family is incomplete.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, everything is greatly appreciated. If you cannot donate, sharing is just as good. God Bless.
"Generosity consists not the sum given, but the manner in which it is bestowed" - Mahatma Gandhi
The purpose of this campaign is to help Isaiah's parents and older brother relocate closer to Loma Linda. That is the only way the hospital will release Isaiah to them. They currently live over 100 miles away from the hospital. They must relocate within 50 miles to do so. No donation is to small. Everything to shares, likes and donations are greatly appreciated. May God bless you all!
Following resection of his tumor, Isaiah was in a coma. His brain was still having trouble draining fluid, he had a severe case of hydrocephalus which required him to have his second surgery, where they placed an internal shunt in his brain to help drain the fluid after the external shunt he received upon arriving to LLCH his first night wasn’t really helping. After that surgery, since he was unable to breathe on his own at the time, due to excess swelling in the brain (and being intubated prior to arriving to LLCH), he underwent yet two more surgeries where he received his trach and g-tube. After these surgeries, Isaiah recovered and started to wake up, he first started to move his toes, then his eyes. Since he was awake, he was able to start his treatment for his cancer. He received 33 rounds of proton radiation at Loma Linda, and after he completed his treatment, his MRI had been NED. This was good news, however, this wasn’t the end. Loma Linda transferred Isaiah to Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital toward the end of April, where he still is currently today. Due to being on a ventilator while he is sleeping, he was unable to do rehabilitation in L.A., which was where he was originally going to be sent. The reason for this GoFundMe is to bring him home, where we feel he would get more attention and be with his family in a home setting. In order for us to discharge him from this hospital, we are required to take classes which will teach us how to care for his trach and g-tube, as well as CPR. We are definitely willing to do this, however since we don’t have a vehicle at the time, and are over 50+ miles away, being there 5 days a week to take these classes is hard. After taking the classes, we have to find a home that will be suitable for him and the nurses who would be coming to care for him 16 hours out of the day. He would need his own room, and for it to be modified to Loma Linda’s Ventilator Checklist standards, which is very difficult to find in the situation we are in. Prior to this, we lost all of our savings and have had the worst of luck with transportation. We are required to relocate closer to Loma Linda to be closer to the ventilator clinics and all of the follow-up clinics for his care, but most importantly Loma Linda University Medical Center itself, in case (God forbid) he relapses and needs emergency care. His big brother misses him, we miss him, we know that he would be better off at home. And not only that, but with a prognosis that is unsure, and a diagnosis that is so serious, time is uncertain and we don’t know what could happen tomorrow. We wouldn’t want to lose him and lose all this time with him.
Prior to his diagnosis, Isaiah was a thriving, healthy toddler. He was the completion to our family, and without him, our family is incomplete.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, everything is greatly appreciated. If you cannot donate, sharing is just as good. God Bless.
"Generosity consists not the sum given, but the manner in which it is bestowed" - Mahatma Gandhi
The purpose of this campaign is to help Isaiah's parents and older brother relocate closer to Loma Linda. That is the only way the hospital will release Isaiah to them. They currently live over 100 miles away from the hospital. They must relocate within 50 miles to do so. No donation is to small. Everything to shares, likes and donations are greatly appreciated. May God bless you all!
Organizer
Justin Surs
Organizer
San Bernardino, CA
