Barrett Ross deVille Cancer Fund

Welcome and thank you for visiting. Please share this page with your friends and use #bear_power in your posts. Fun fact: The name Barrett means bear power. That's where our hashtag comes from. 

 

Barrett's Story

 

Barrett was born on November 13, 2014 to two young, but proud and excited parents Samantha & Barron deVille (and a very large happy extended family). At the time he seemed perfectly healthy with all ten fingers and toes in place, beautiful blue eyes, and fiery red hair. We enjoyed our new baby filling his life with love and happiness. He was perfect and we were all thrilled. 

 

Then on December 23, 2014, devastation hit. A friend was changing Barrett's diaper and noticed that his testicles seemed swollen. At the ER, the doctor said an operation was needed to remove a twisted testicle. 

 

Once the doctors had Barrett in surgery that afternoon and opened his body they discovered a mass in one testicle. The pathologist had never seen a mass in such a young baby, so he called a specialist for advice on how to proceed with the operation. The surgeon removed the testicle, mass, tubes to the kidney, and more in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease. A biopsy was ordered, CT scan, and blood tests were run. Barrett was in recovery and healing well by that evening. He was kept for  observation overnight. 

 

We received the test results on January 6, 2015. The tests showed a Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Testis. This is an extremely rare type of intermediate stromal cell tumor, more rare because he is a male (less than 100 cases are on record and they are all benign). The results from the first blood test showed Barrett's tumor marker levels to be at 1041. We need them to drop by at least half at each test. 

 

On January 7, 2015, we received the results from the second blood tests that showed Barrett's tumor marker levels were down to 643, a positive sign. We also found out that the cancer is malignant and has a high mitotic rate. This is not good. Mitotic rate is the rate at which cancer cells reproduce with high rates being faster reproduction. More blood was drawn to retest the tumor marker levels and specialists were called. The case was sent to St. Jude's for review and consideration. 

 

On January 9, 2015, we received the results from the third blood test. The tumor marker levels were at 605. They only dropped by 38 points. More tests were ordered. 

 

On January 19, 2015, we received new blood test results. His tumor marker levels are: AFP is down to 412 and his LDH is holding at 324. The AFP levels dropped 193 points down from 605. This is a positive sign, but we are not out of the woods yet. 

 

On Sunday, January 25th, Barrett will be traveling to St. Jude's in Memphis, Tennessee with his mommy, Samantha, and his granny, Sharon. His first appointment is scheduled for that day. St. Jude's will be running tests and review all of his records. They are scheduled to be there for three to five days. They plan for Barrett to be a case study as he is the youngest person now on record with this type of cancer. 

 

Unfortunately, the trip to St. Jude's is costly. Sharon does not currently have any paid time off available, but she is needed by her daughter's and grandson's sides. I'm starting this fund raiser to help my family with expenses for this trip and whatever else they need during this difficult time. I'm sure this will not be their last visit to St. Jude's and there is a possibility that their stay will be extended depending on test results.  I've set the goal high to compensate for the unknown. If only we knew what the future holds.

 

If you can donate any thing to help please do. Every cent is greatly appreciated. If you cannot afford to donate we understand, but please consider sharing Barrett's story with your family and friends and of course please keep him in your prayers, thoughts, and well wishes. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything. 

 

Xo

Great-Aunty Marilynn

P.S. Any monies not used towards expenses for Barrett will be donated in the names of all of our donors to St. Jude's or to another St. Jude's family. We believe in paying it forward! Thank you again.