My son Cody is 22 years old. He is the oldest of six children. He has recently been diagnosed with myxopapillary ependymoma. A very rare form of cancer. It has completely covered his entire spinal cord and has gone into his brain.
This was all discovered due to a very bad migraine this past September 2015, that lead us to see a neurologist.
Cody had many tests, the first being an MRI on his brain where they found 6 tumors all on the back of his head including one on the brain stem. Next was multiple MRIs on his spine, xrays, blood work, CAT scans, and a spinal tap. When the results came back they were not good. They found multiple tumors surrounding the entire spinal cord. His neurologist felt he needed to be seen by other specialist So they referred him from Las Vegas NV. to UCLA in California for further testing.
After seeing several Oncologist and Neurologist at UCLA it was decided that he would need surgery to determine what the tumors were.
Cody was admitted to the hospital and had a four hour back surgery at UCLA just days before Thanksgiving to get a biopsy. Thats when he was diagnosed with this rare cancer. Due to the fact that the cancer had completly covered his entire spinal cord there was no way to remove it and he was told that he would need an aggressive treatment plan. UCLA felt that they did not have the equipment to treat Cody with the best treatment plan and refered him to Scripps proton therapy in La Jolla California.
Cody had several appointments meeting with many different doctors down in San Diego, as well as having his imaging and reports sent throughout the country, all who agreed that he was in the right place for the specific treatment he is in need of.
After almost three long months, two denials from our medical insurance for treatment and an appeal from his oncologist we finally got the aproval last week to move forward and recieve treatment. He will be treated very aggressively with proton radiation at Scripps in La Jolla California everyday Monday-Friday for 6 weeks. With 5 weeks treatment on the brain and spine, and the 6th week with focus on just the brain. There are only a few facilities that have the equipment that he needs to be treated with and most being back east. So we are very thankful to have one in San Diego, only six hours from home.
To this day he has remained strong with a very positive attitude! He is determined to beat this! Now with even a little more motivation for he just found out that he is going to be a daddy! He will beat this!
Cody has seen a total of 13 doctors and specialist and no one has ever seen a case as severe as his. Please pray that this treatment removes all cancer and he will live a long healthy life!!!!!!!!!
His treatment will start On Tuesday February 16th, 2016 If you could Please help us support our son Cody through this difficult time. Cody has been working for Haaker for approximately three years and has been put on Temporary disability since his back surgery. My wife and I will be doing our absolute best to continue taking care of our family in Las Vegas, as well as being there to help Cody in this time of need. Your donations will help Cody with travel, housing and all medical expenses he will enquire. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
This was all discovered due to a very bad migraine this past September 2015, that lead us to see a neurologist.
Cody had many tests, the first being an MRI on his brain where they found 6 tumors all on the back of his head including one on the brain stem. Next was multiple MRIs on his spine, xrays, blood work, CAT scans, and a spinal tap. When the results came back they were not good. They found multiple tumors surrounding the entire spinal cord. His neurologist felt he needed to be seen by other specialist So they referred him from Las Vegas NV. to UCLA in California for further testing.
After seeing several Oncologist and Neurologist at UCLA it was decided that he would need surgery to determine what the tumors were.
Cody was admitted to the hospital and had a four hour back surgery at UCLA just days before Thanksgiving to get a biopsy. Thats when he was diagnosed with this rare cancer. Due to the fact that the cancer had completly covered his entire spinal cord there was no way to remove it and he was told that he would need an aggressive treatment plan. UCLA felt that they did not have the equipment to treat Cody with the best treatment plan and refered him to Scripps proton therapy in La Jolla California.
Cody had several appointments meeting with many different doctors down in San Diego, as well as having his imaging and reports sent throughout the country, all who agreed that he was in the right place for the specific treatment he is in need of.
After almost three long months, two denials from our medical insurance for treatment and an appeal from his oncologist we finally got the aproval last week to move forward and recieve treatment. He will be treated very aggressively with proton radiation at Scripps in La Jolla California everyday Monday-Friday for 6 weeks. With 5 weeks treatment on the brain and spine, and the 6th week with focus on just the brain. There are only a few facilities that have the equipment that he needs to be treated with and most being back east. So we are very thankful to have one in San Diego, only six hours from home.
To this day he has remained strong with a very positive attitude! He is determined to beat this! Now with even a little more motivation for he just found out that he is going to be a daddy! He will beat this!
Cody has seen a total of 13 doctors and specialist and no one has ever seen a case as severe as his. Please pray that this treatment removes all cancer and he will live a long healthy life!!!!!!!!!
His treatment will start On Tuesday February 16th, 2016 If you could Please help us support our son Cody through this difficult time. Cody has been working for Haaker for approximately three years and has been put on Temporary disability since his back surgery. My wife and I will be doing our absolute best to continue taking care of our family in Las Vegas, as well as being there to help Cody in this time of need. Your donations will help Cody with travel, housing and all medical expenses he will enquire. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Organizer and beneficiary
Cody Temple
Beneficiary