Brigida's Cancer Fund

This is a fund set up for Brigida Leonard (Rolwes) and her family: Kyle, Kylina, and their unborn child. My name is Patrick Stradtman and I am Brigida's brother (her sister Alessandria's husband). I set up this fund for Brigida so that people could know her story and give their support. Here is her story: On Thursday morning 11/17/16, Brigida underwent an MRI for follow up on months of persistent headaches, nausea, and dizziness. She was 14 weeks pregnant at the time. Her symptoms were supposed to be due to a combination of her pregnancy and migraines. What was found was a large brain tumor located on Brigida's cerebellum and another tumor wrapped around her brainstem. She was immediately sent over to Mercy Hospital's Neurology floor and seen by neurosurgeon Dr. Sweeney. He said that she also had hydrocephalus (a condition of too much cerebrospinal fluid buildup in the brain) due to the tumors' locations. She underwent surgery the next morning where they were able to remove the entire primary tumor on the cerebellum and most of the tumor surrounding her brainstem. Brigida and the baby made it through surgery well and were stable. At this time Dr. Sweeney suspected the tumors to be ependymoma, a rare tumor in adults that accounts for only 2-3% of all brain and spinal tumors diagnosed. Most of the time these ependymomas are relatively benign. A pathology report for the final diagnosis would take about a week. Brigida in the mean time recovered well from surgery in the ICU and moved out to the floor on Thanksgiving day with both her and the baby in stable condition. On Friday 11/25/16, the final pathology report unfortunately revealed devastating news: that she had anaplastic ependymoma, the malignant form of the tumor that is very aggressive. At this point the tumor cells had already spread to her cerebrospinal fluid and she had another abnormality on her sacrum that is possibly another tumor. The doctors are recommending immediate radiation therapy of her entire spine and brain for her to have the best prognosis. Unfortunately this radiation also would put the baby at great risk for malformations and miscarriage, and if Brigida waits until the baby is viable and born to start radiation she has a very poor prognosis. Right now Brigida and Kyle are in the process of searching for the best possible treatment for Brigida and the baby wherever that may be and are waiting to hear back from doctors at MD Anderson and the Mayo Clinic. This fund will be used to cover medical expenses, travel expenses, transportation costs, and time off work for both Brigida and Kyle throughout her treatment. She has a long road ahead of her but is very optimistic that she will beat this cancer and will be able to have a healthy baby as well. We thank you so much for the prayers and support that have already been given throughout this whole process as they have helped her and the family get this far. Whatever can be given monetarily will be greatly appreciated and will at least help relieve them of one of their many worries during this difficult time. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you,
Patrick