Conor Rigan

In addition to unceasing prayers for Conor and his family, this GoFundMe has been created to financially support the Rigans with Conor’s medical needs. Patrick and Sarah are overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of love they have received over the last three years. Let's continue to shower them with support as they continue the fight for their amazing son, Conor.

Conor is a brave and lovable 3.5-year-old battling brain cancer for the fourth time. Since he was just six months old, Conor has endured three successful surgeries at the UofM Children’s Hospital as well as chemotherapy and radiation therapy to remove the tumors and cancer cells on/near his brain and spine. Just six weeks after his most recent surgery, MRI scans revealed a tumor recurrence on his brainstem. Conor is currently receiving treatment at Cincinnati Children's Hospital - a clinical trial of immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs.

 

Sarah provides detailed and heartfelt updates on Conor's Caring Bridge page https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/conorrigan

Please keep this incredible family in your prayers and for Conor's body to be rid of this cancer for good.

Sarah's most recent journal entry:

Off to a great start!— February 6, 2023

It's been a great day! And that says a lot considering we've been at the hospital since 8:00 a.m. but I am so proud of this boy right here. He truly makes it all look so easy. After all that he's been through in his 3 1/2 years of life, I certainly wouldn't blame him if he was upset with his circumstances. While we are so incredibly blessed with our current living situation in Cincinnati, I often wonder why Conor never questions it all. Why can't we go home? Why don't I get to see my friends and teacher at preschool? Why aren't my sisters with me? When will my family be together? When will I sleep in my bed? But he never does. While he has every reason to be sad, he rises each morning with a joyful demeanor, trusting in each new experience, even when it is scary or makes no sense to him at all.

Like today, when he woke up and gave me a big grin after I told him we were leaving for the hospital soon. As soon as we got there he jumped on the bed and put his football blanket down, excited for his new room as if it were a hotel. He was so brave for his blood draw and only shed a few tears after his poke. Then our Child Life Specialist loaded him up with Paw Patrol toys and we played most of the morning. By the time his labs came back (everything looked great), it was 11:30 and the medication was officially released. It took longer for the nurse to cut the pill than it did for Conor to swallow it. He popped the pill, which is nearly the size of a good and plenty, in his mouth and it disappeared before the nurse could turn back around. Everyone was so surprised that there was zero hesitation on Conor's part. We all cheered and the look on his face was priceless. Following that excitement, Conor had another new task at hand. Because he will be taking chemotherapy orally, there is a chance he is more susceptible to a certain type of pneumonia. As a precaution, at the start of each 28 day cycle, he needs to take an antibiotic. They administer this with a nebulizer mask, so he had to wear this mask and breath in the medicine for 30 minutes. He handled this so well and just sat on my lap watching a movie without any complaints. The rest of our day included more play in the room and a trip to the hospital playroom filled with toys and games. We are currently taking it easy before we head back out to play again shortly. Tonight before bed, Conor will take his second dose of Indoximod and then 30 minutes later, he will take his dose of oral chemotherapy (4 small pills). I have no concerns and am confident in his ability to swallow these. I am only praying that he does not feel nauseous or sick and can sleep it off.

If all goes well we will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. We will keep Conor local to the Cincinnati area for the entire 28 day cycle, with weekly clinic visits, and will enjoy this slower pace of life.

There are many thoughts and worries that lie deep down in my heart, but today is not the day to dwell on them. Instead, I am bringing my thoughts back to this sweet boy beside me. The fight he brings, the joy and love he exudes, the expectations he continues to exceed... I can't help but believe that we're all going to be okay. This moment may be fleeting, but as I kiss his little head and hold him in my lap, he melts into my arms and it feels that all is right in our world.