Conrad Strong
Donation protected
To our dearest friends and family!
As many of you have been informed Brit and Kelsey have been hit with some devastating news for their sweetest son, Conrad.
Here is Conrad's story, written from his Parents, Kelsey and Brit:
"Two days ago we went in for our scheduled two month check up with our doctor here in Billings before moving for the winter up to Big Sky. Our pediatrician for Conrad is Dr. Kyle Bodley and he is amazing. He noticed that Conrad's liver area seemed a little enlarged and wanted to get an ultrasound to make sure it was nothing major as little kids can have different viruses and issues that would make it swell. Thursday morning we went in for our ultrasound and ever since our world has been turned up side down.
During the ultrasound they found a large mass in our son Conrad's abdomen. We were called back to Dr. Bodley's office to go over the results, knowing nothing at this point, and they told us what we were dealing with. Cancer.
After collecting ourselves enough, Dr. Bodley accompanied us to the Billings Clinic pediatric oncology office. There we were met by Dr. Jack Staddon, a kids' cancer specialist. A wizard. We were met with a team of people ranging from Hematologist MDs to nurses to social workers. The body language meter was telling us a story that didn't need to be said. This is serious, very, very, very serious.
Once our tears were mopped up and IVs were placed in our little man's arm, we headed to a CT scan for Conrad. Walking through the hospital, holding my son and my wife, I couldn't hold back the tears. So heavy.
After reviewing the imaging, Dr. Staddon told us what we are looking at. Conrad has what he thinks is a neuroblastoma. A large tumor, 5-7 cm in size, and likely attached to his adrenal gland and possibly his liver and right kidney. Fuck. Nothing can be done here in Billings as Conrad is only 2 months old and in need of some serious specialized care. The positive we are clinging to is that Conrad doesn't seem sick and his blood work is great. It doesn't appear that he's in pain - he's our easy-go-lucky, smiley little guy, same as always.
Kelsey's parents got here last night. Her and my family and many of our friends have not left our side since. We packed up our car today and sent her parents with our stuff back to Seattle and we will be flying out to meet them tomorrow.
Dr. Staddon is sending us to Seattle Children's Hospital to start treatment with a doctor there that is the leading expert in infant neuroblastoma tumors. The best of the best.
The unknown is killing us, the questions are a mile high. Why, how, what the hell? How did we get from a simple check up 36 hours ago to where we are now, heading to Seattle to begin a fight for our son's life? A life that just started 2 months ago. To say we are devastated would be an understatement. We are trying to stay positive for Conrad's sake but it is admittedly very hard with the "C" word involved.
As our friends we ask that you think of us, pray for us, dance with hula hoops, light candles, smear candle wax in your friend's carpet whatever you do spiritually to send all the positivity in the world our precious little boy's way. Don't be surprised if we don't answer your call or text but know that it is very much appreciated. We will when we get our heads wrapped around this. We are private people but in this case we need all the help we can get".
We want this to be a place where we can come together as a community of friendship and support, as our lives have been touched by these three so dearly.
This is a hard thing for any parent to go through.
Our hearts break for these two as they embark upon this unknown and long road ahead.
Big Sky, Billings, Seattle, Friends, Family, work associates - it's TIME to rally!
Let's all come together to support these three with a lot of love, support and positivity.
As many of us want to help in anyway we can, we feel that any amount you can contribute is a huge way to share the love you have for Kelsey, Brit and Conrad.
Thank you in advance for your support and prayers.
#conradstrong
"The first time his breath unfurled its wings in the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same."
-Brian Andreas
If Brit and Kelsey end up being so fortunate in Conrad's prognosis and treatment that they do not need all the funds raised for their expenses, anything left over will be donated to pediatric cancer research.
As many of you have been informed Brit and Kelsey have been hit with some devastating news for their sweetest son, Conrad.
Here is Conrad's story, written from his Parents, Kelsey and Brit:
"Two days ago we went in for our scheduled two month check up with our doctor here in Billings before moving for the winter up to Big Sky. Our pediatrician for Conrad is Dr. Kyle Bodley and he is amazing. He noticed that Conrad's liver area seemed a little enlarged and wanted to get an ultrasound to make sure it was nothing major as little kids can have different viruses and issues that would make it swell. Thursday morning we went in for our ultrasound and ever since our world has been turned up side down.
During the ultrasound they found a large mass in our son Conrad's abdomen. We were called back to Dr. Bodley's office to go over the results, knowing nothing at this point, and they told us what we were dealing with. Cancer.
After collecting ourselves enough, Dr. Bodley accompanied us to the Billings Clinic pediatric oncology office. There we were met by Dr. Jack Staddon, a kids' cancer specialist. A wizard. We were met with a team of people ranging from Hematologist MDs to nurses to social workers. The body language meter was telling us a story that didn't need to be said. This is serious, very, very, very serious.
Once our tears were mopped up and IVs were placed in our little man's arm, we headed to a CT scan for Conrad. Walking through the hospital, holding my son and my wife, I couldn't hold back the tears. So heavy.
After reviewing the imaging, Dr. Staddon told us what we are looking at. Conrad has what he thinks is a neuroblastoma. A large tumor, 5-7 cm in size, and likely attached to his adrenal gland and possibly his liver and right kidney. Fuck. Nothing can be done here in Billings as Conrad is only 2 months old and in need of some serious specialized care. The positive we are clinging to is that Conrad doesn't seem sick and his blood work is great. It doesn't appear that he's in pain - he's our easy-go-lucky, smiley little guy, same as always.
Kelsey's parents got here last night. Her and my family and many of our friends have not left our side since. We packed up our car today and sent her parents with our stuff back to Seattle and we will be flying out to meet them tomorrow.
Dr. Staddon is sending us to Seattle Children's Hospital to start treatment with a doctor there that is the leading expert in infant neuroblastoma tumors. The best of the best.
The unknown is killing us, the questions are a mile high. Why, how, what the hell? How did we get from a simple check up 36 hours ago to where we are now, heading to Seattle to begin a fight for our son's life? A life that just started 2 months ago. To say we are devastated would be an understatement. We are trying to stay positive for Conrad's sake but it is admittedly very hard with the "C" word involved.
As our friends we ask that you think of us, pray for us, dance with hula hoops, light candles, smear candle wax in your friend's carpet whatever you do spiritually to send all the positivity in the world our precious little boy's way. Don't be surprised if we don't answer your call or text but know that it is very much appreciated. We will when we get our heads wrapped around this. We are private people but in this case we need all the help we can get".
We want this to be a place where we can come together as a community of friendship and support, as our lives have been touched by these three so dearly.
This is a hard thing for any parent to go through.
Our hearts break for these two as they embark upon this unknown and long road ahead.
Big Sky, Billings, Seattle, Friends, Family, work associates - it's TIME to rally!
Let's all come together to support these three with a lot of love, support and positivity.
As many of us want to help in anyway we can, we feel that any amount you can contribute is a huge way to share the love you have for Kelsey, Brit and Conrad.
Thank you in advance for your support and prayers.
#conradstrong
"The first time his breath unfurled its wings in the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same."
-Brian Andreas
If Brit and Kelsey end up being so fortunate in Conrad's prognosis and treatment that they do not need all the funds raised for their expenses, anything left over will be donated to pediatric cancer research.
Organizer and beneficiary
Team Big Sky
Organizer
Big Sky, MT
Brit Charlton Barnes
Beneficiary
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