#TeamMaddie
Donation protected
As most of you know, Maddie was diagnosed with a brain tumor called an Ependymoma two years ago, when she was only five years old. The entire tumor was immediately resected during her first craniotomy and brain surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. After which, she underwent 6 weeks of radiation. She was cancer free for 2 years and lived every one of those days to the fullest. Heartbreakingly, her routine MRI in the beginning of April found a recurrence of the tumor in the already radiated area.
In the last 29 days since receiving the devastating news of the recurrence, Madison has spent 19 of those in the hospital, had 2 more brain surgeries, a spinal tap, an MRI, 3 CT scans, 4 IVs, 4 lab draws, 2 chest X-rays, two sedations, an arterial line, 75 stitches, 2 drains that drained at least 5 liters of spinal fluid away from her brain and 3 long road trips between Hampton, VA and Philadelphia, PA.
On Wednesday, they were unexpectedly, but thankfully, discharged from the hospital and happily drove 5 1/2 hrs home only to wake up the next morning to spinal fluid leaking from one of Maddie's sutures. With another crack in their hearts (but their eyes firmly on the prize of a long, happy life), the family packed up their car and drove right back to CHOP Thursday morning where Maddie has been readmitted to the ICU.
Madison never asks why and continues to smile through the pain. She is the most amazing 7 year old girl. She is so kind and loving and smart. She has taken all of this horrible experience like a champ and just wants to be back at school with her friends and with her kitty, Storm. She is a rock star and a fighter who has been amazingly brave and an inspiration for us all throughout this unimaginable ordeal.
As of today, May 20th, Melanie has not worked in 36 days and she does not get any sick leave or vacation time. When she doesn't work, she doesn't get paid. Ben has missed nearly as many days of work. Thankfully, he does get paid but his leave is running out and is now relying on donated leave from coworkers. They've got bills stacking up quickly and this journey is far from over. The next year is very uncertain regarding treatments as there is no curative therapy for recurrence. Any help with unexpected hospital visits to Philly, hotels, medical bills, food, gas and traveling to possibly several clinical trials and out of state treatment will definitely aid in their journey and relieve some of the insurmountable stress involved.
We cannot thank you all enough for all of the love, support and prayers you have shown Madison and her family. Maddie definitely knows how much she is loved!
#TeamMaddie
In the last 29 days since receiving the devastating news of the recurrence, Madison has spent 19 of those in the hospital, had 2 more brain surgeries, a spinal tap, an MRI, 3 CT scans, 4 IVs, 4 lab draws, 2 chest X-rays, two sedations, an arterial line, 75 stitches, 2 drains that drained at least 5 liters of spinal fluid away from her brain and 3 long road trips between Hampton, VA and Philadelphia, PA.
On Wednesday, they were unexpectedly, but thankfully, discharged from the hospital and happily drove 5 1/2 hrs home only to wake up the next morning to spinal fluid leaking from one of Maddie's sutures. With another crack in their hearts (but their eyes firmly on the prize of a long, happy life), the family packed up their car and drove right back to CHOP Thursday morning where Maddie has been readmitted to the ICU.
Madison never asks why and continues to smile through the pain. She is the most amazing 7 year old girl. She is so kind and loving and smart. She has taken all of this horrible experience like a champ and just wants to be back at school with her friends and with her kitty, Storm. She is a rock star and a fighter who has been amazingly brave and an inspiration for us all throughout this unimaginable ordeal.
As of today, May 20th, Melanie has not worked in 36 days and she does not get any sick leave or vacation time. When she doesn't work, she doesn't get paid. Ben has missed nearly as many days of work. Thankfully, he does get paid but his leave is running out and is now relying on donated leave from coworkers. They've got bills stacking up quickly and this journey is far from over. The next year is very uncertain regarding treatments as there is no curative therapy for recurrence. Any help with unexpected hospital visits to Philly, hotels, medical bills, food, gas and traveling to possibly several clinical trials and out of state treatment will definitely aid in their journey and relieve some of the insurmountable stress involved.
We cannot thank you all enough for all of the love, support and prayers you have shown Madison and her family. Maddie definitely knows how much she is loved!
#TeamMaddie
Organizer and beneficiary
Tiffany Seifert
Organizer
Springfield, VA
Melanie Davis
Beneficiary