Avery’s Warriors - Help Kick This Tumor’s Butt!

On Thursday March 4, 2021, Avery was taken to the ER in Cypress due to sudden difficulty walking and a persistent headache. X-rays were done and  she was told that she is just sore from doing back bends and sent home. The next day, things got much worse. Suddenly Avery couldn’t walk without the help of her parents and she was falling. She also lost control of her bladder. All of these symptoms were extremely frightening for a 12 year old girl. They took her back to the ER and on Friday evening, they were told that Avery has a brain bleed. Before they had time to process what was happening, Avery was on the Life Flight Helicopter, alone and scared out of her mind. Mom, dad and Avery’s siblings met Life Flight at Children’s Memorial Hermann in the medical center. 

As soon as Avery arrived, we were told it was hydrocephalus which is a build up of fluid on the brain, increasing pressure to her brain. They took her into the OR for an emergency ventriculostomy or EVD. This would hopefully pull some of the fluid off and relieve the pressure. Following the procedure, our Neurosurgeon, Dr. Sandburg, informed us that there is a “massive” tumor on Avery’s Thalamus. The thalamus is the part of your brain that controls sleep/wake cycles. Monday afternoon, Dr. Sandburg took Avery to the OR again to try and remove as much of the tumor as possible and send some tissue off for a biopsy. The surgery took a grueling 5 hours. Unfortunately, what is left of the Tumor is still quite large and due to its location, it is too risky to remove. It looks like a Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) grade 2 tumor. What we know is that it is extremely rare (only 1,083 people living with it in the US). What we don’t know yet is if it’s cancerous or not. Biopsy results should take a week so until then, we are all just holding our breath and praying, praying so hard.

Avery has been able to stand up with some assistance, she  is saying a few words here and there with a lot of coaxing, and is not tolerating some food by mouth. She will have the EVD for at least a few more days and continue to stay in the hospital until she is stable, and then be transferred to an inpatient rehab for physical therapy and speech therapy. Avery has been so strong and brave throughout this. Her personality has been shining through in her own goofy silly ways. 

A little back story...

Avery is almost 12 years old, the youngest of 4 kids. Avery is sweet, soft spoken, so loving and affectionate. She is the best babysitter there is. She loves spending time with all of her younger cousins and entertaining them. Avery’s parents, Jennifer and Charles, have been by Avery’s side every day, while also trying to take care of their other young kids at home. Jennifer and Charles are people of strong faith. We are constantly in awe of my sister Jennifer’s belief and conviction. It is unwavering and something to strive for. Jennifer, is an English teacher in Cypress and is the sole provider for their family. Because of COVID, Jennifer has no more time off and will have to go back to work in one week. They are in need of any financial assistance that they can get right now. 

Avery and family have a very long and challenging journey ahead of them. Our God is a good God and He is in control.

Please be a hero today and help out in any way you can to fight for Avery! Every little bit counts. Thank you for your support.