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The Gordon Trio

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Money's collected during which years:
January 2013 = $10,000
September 2015 = $9,300
November 2016 = $10,300
November 2018 = new donations are being received.  Truly grateful...more than you'll ever know!

December 18, 2018 - Update
Mason is still in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) today.  This past weekend was very challenging for him. A whole new level of gut wrenching developments concerning Mason’s brain.  The neuro surgery team met on Monday, 12/18/18 and the consensus of the team is Mason’s hydrocephalus in the 4th ventricle cannot be controlled by a shunt, which has become clear due to the repeated malfunctions.  Hydrocephalus is a life threatening disease and patients are dependent on shunts to survive.  We’ve discussed the next step forward to control Mason’s hydrocephalus is to remove the cyst and shave off the top of his tumor, they will not remove the complete tumor.  It is very serious and not without careful consideration to operate on an inoperable tumor.  This is an invasive surgery and there are life altering risks. The team is always evaluating the risks to his quality of life and to do the least harm.  He has never undergone anything like this before.  They will perform a craniotomy which is the opening of the brain, the recovery time is 3 months for bone healing and there could be changes related to his personality and/or cognitive/intellect.  He will continue to be here for a while. It’s not what I was expecting the team to propose but I know it’s what’s best because he cannot continue to have repeated malfunctions.  The hope is this surgery will connect his ventricles to communicate and have less shunts and his hydrocephalus will be controlled and continue to protect his brain.

Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday 12/19/18 at 11:30AM hospital time.

I’ve learned sometimes things get worse before they can get better. I believe in miracles and I trust it’s going to be miraculous.  I trust his doctors and I know they care for him. Another opportunity to be comfortable in the not knowing.

December 13, 2018
Mason has had 7 surgeries since Oct 26th when hydrocephalus was discovered in a new area of his brain, in the 4th ventricle.  On 12/11/18 Mason started having complications related to low sodium levels.  He was admitted to the PICU on 12/11/18 after another surgery.  We post updates on his community Facebook page. 

You are amazing examples of generosity and kindness, it is heart wrenching to be in a position to receive this way.  One day we will be able to give like we've taught us.

On  Friday, Oct 26, 2018 , Mason collapsed and lost consciousness at the Lake Washington high school football game where he works as the team ball/water boy. The school athletic director insisted on an ambulance to Children’s, in the ER Mason started vomiting, the CT scan showed a new development in the 4th ventricle, a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid CSF in the brain.  The shunts are all working good. The neuro team was being cautious as there have been times when he worsens quickly, so he was admitted to the ICU.  The next day he improved and they could not determine the loss of consciousness was due to this new fluid in the 4th ventricle.  Mason seemed fine with a bit of nausea on Sunday 10/28 and went to school on Monday 10/29. 

On Monday, Oct 29th, in the evening Mason started vomiting and was admitted again to Children's on Tuesday ,Oct 30th. 

Wednesday, Oct 31th, Mason’s case was discussed at the SCH brain tumor board, confirming the fainting, vomiting, nausea and dizziness is caused by the accumulation of CSF in his 4th ventricle which is not controlled by shunts. After neuro-radiologist review, they think there may be some sort of tissue causing a blockage in the 4th ventricle.  He was suffering from uncontrollable bouts of vomiting even with anti-vomiting medication which left him weak and exhausted, he slept most of the day.

On Thursday, Nov 1st, Mason had an EVD (external ventricular drain) placed and during surgery his pressure measured 30, which is very high for him and lead them to decide on an the next steps.

On Friday, Nov 2nd, Mason had a second surgery to place a 4th shunt in his 4th ventricle.  He is feeling better after this surgery and he will probably be able to go home this weekend.  He is being watched carefully.

We have been in this challenging situation before and it’s important for Mason and our family to stay present and we’ve learned to find comfort in not knowing…because we never really know any way.  
It's going to be okay.

If you 're interested, here’s a link that explains what hydrocephalus is Hydrocephalus .

Thank you to everyone who is caring for Joey and feeding Greta dinner while we're at the hospital.

We are super duper grateful for our Tribe...our People.  You make us strong.  We love you...more than you'll every know.

www.facebook.com/masongordonhope

Love,
The Gordon Trio





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2016 Update from Lindsey Gordon:
Mason continued to have many shunt malfunctions in March and April 2016. On September 15, 2016 Mason was admitted for a left shunt malfunction. After a failed revision on the 15th it was decided to externalize Mason's shunts to EVD, external ventricular drains. He had a second EVD placed on the 22nd and he had complications related to low sodium levels and brain swelling associated with bleeding which can cause a coma. He was sent to the PICU the night of Thursday 9/22 and as of today 9/27 he is still in PICU. He is doing much better and he still needs another surgery to place a left shunt system within the next week.

Mason's tumor has grown 1 CM since in last August 2016 MRI and a biopsy was done on 9/26/16 to determine the next best path forward to treat his inoperable brain tumor.

Thank you for all they ways you love, support and encourage us. There just are no words to express how our hearts feel.  Love,



Lindsey

September 2015
Kim and Melanie among others decided it was time to launch and restart this campaign again with the resent developments with Mason's brain shunt malfunctions and emergency surgeries this month, Sept 2015.  Details @ Mason's Hope 
The Gordon Trio is so so grateful for everyone's contribution, the phone won't be disconnected, Mason can have his medicine, the rent will be paid, and Lindsey won't have to make stressfull decisions about choosing to pay a bill over buying food.  She can stop trying to sell furniture to make ends meet.  Mason will get new prescription glasses and frames, he just visited the opthamalogist this week and needs new lens and his frames are getting small.  He really wants contact but they are expensive.  Greta will get the retainer she needs for her teeth.  These are all the things that have been on hold because Lindsey has not been working as much this past month.  

January 2013 - Kat Howell in California
Lindsey is a dear friend of mine who's 7 year old son Mason was diagnosed with brain cancer.  She is a single mama who works hard to support her 2 children but she needs our help.  Her rent has not yet been paid for January and February is almost here.  My goal is to raise enough money so she doesn't have to worry about paying her bills and rent and can focus on helping Mason heal.

Lindsey so freely gives her time to help others and I want to give back to her.  Thank you!! Love, Kat

January 2013 from Lindsey...
Mason was diagnosed with brain cancer on June 20, 2012. There are oh so many super amazing people that love him and want to be connected to him. We feeeeel ALL your love and we are in AWE!

Description
Mason's brain tumor is inoperable because his optical nerves is part of his tumor and it surrounds his basillar artery and rests on his pituitary gland. Mason's tumor is a grade 1, juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma and low grade cancer.  A summary timeline:
November 2012 - 1st chemotherapy treatment (6mos)
November 2014 - 2nd chemotherapy treatment (2yrs)
February 2015 - Human Growth Hormone treatment
August 2015 - 3 separate shunt malfunctions and 3 separate emergency surgeries.

Mason is hanging tough, he has good days and difficult moments. We are all staying positive and living in gratitude every day no matter what.

God's got this...
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Donations 

  • John Phipps
    • $50 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Katherine Howell
Organizer
Kirkland, WA

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