Corbin Bundys fight against Brain Tumor

Corbin's journey began like this....

Just before Corbin's first birthday in February 2020, he had an accident where he fell off of the bed. As terrible of an accident this was, it was a blessing in disguise. He initially appeared to be okay after I did a full body scan and after crying for just a bit, went back to sleep as I kept a close eye on him through the remainder of the morning. As I was changing his diaper when he woke up, I did another full body scan and noticed on the side of his head was a golf ball sized soft spot that seemed to be filled with fluid. My husband and I immediately knew something was wrong, so I urgently drove him to the nearest hospital to us at that time in Pasco County, Fl.

Corbin was immediately brought into the ER and evaluated and we were told he needed to have a scan done. Ten minutes later we received the devastating news that Corbin had a fracture on his skull. But, not only that, he had hydrocephalus not related to the fall. In fact, the doctors weren't even concerned with the fracture because they knew it would heal quickly, they were more concerned with the hydrocephalus because it was quite significant. The doctors even informed us that most likely the fracture only happened due to the pressure in his brain and when his head hit the tile it was under so much pressure that it just burst open. So since we were at a hospital that was unable to treat Corbin, we were transported via ambulance to John Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fl.

We were admitted to JHACH for the next few days. The next morning after Corbin's accident, he went for a fully sedated MRI to further look into the reason why he had hydrocephalus in the first place. And THIS is when we received his life-changing diagnosis. A Glioma is located on his brain stem blocking the flow of Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF), the reason for the hydrocephalus. His ventricles were enlarged and his brain was under immense pressure, he immediately needed surgery. It was decided that Corbin would undergo a procedure call an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) as he was a great candidate for it. The surgeon decided that if he was able to grab a biopsy while he was in there that he would. It is a very delicate spot for him to get a biopsy and a reason why he couldn't resect the whole Glioma, but he was able to get a very small section of the Glioma and it was sent for testing. The testing confirmed what the doctors assumed, a Grade 2 Tectal Plate Glioma.

Tectal Plate Gliomas are typically low grade astrocytoma's with a favorable prognosis but Corbin's has proven to be a little more difficult. From February 2020 through November 2020 he had sedated MRI's every 3 months to check on any progression of the Glioma and success of the ETV. Everything was stable until November where the Glioma decided to start growing. Corbin's Oncologist called us in to the office immediately. Due to Covid, just Corbin and his mom were able to be in the office and his dad was on the phone on speaker. That day we received news that it was urgent we started chemo as quickly as possible.

After the Holidays and the new year, the ball started rolling and Corbin went in for a series of test; Hearing, kidney function, standard blood work and his second ever surgery for the placement of his Mediport which is located on his chest and makes for easier access when he receives his chemotherapy.

February 2021 Corbin started his long 70 week journey of Chemotherapy. He receives Carboplatin, Vincristine and Temozolomide throughout a 12 week cycle. And at the end of the cycles he has another sedated MRI.

The most recent MRI in November 2021 shows that his Glioma has a prominent vascular portion running along side the Glioma that we are keeping an eye on and that will require additional testing and observation during his next MRI in 12 weeks.

Because Corbin is Immunocompromised it has been especially difficult because of the threat of covid. But it hasn't been without incident. Corbin has had several urgent visits to the ER due to fevers and even has had to stay over night. Corbin is a fighter though and even when he isn't feeling well, he still is our happy boy. Nothing has stopped him from being a typical two year old. Riding his bike is his favorite thing in the world! This boy always is making everyone smile around him.

The reason this GoFundMe has been created is because traveling 66 miles one way to JHACH almost once a week gets very expensive between the soaring gas prices, car maintenance, and food while on the road/ hospital stays and visits. The extra help would also allow for us to help pay other expenses like receiving an online second opinion from Boston Children's Hospital which will cost us $1,100 or some bills we might be behind on.

Corbin's dad is a full-time student currently in Commercial Diving School, so the extra help is much appreciated. I am unable to work due to childcare expenses for our other two children and Corbin being unable to be in daycare right now due to being immunocompromised.

If you choose to donate, we truly appreciate your help. But either way, thank you for taking the time out of your day to read about or sons journey. I will be giving updates here and on his Facebook Page: Corbin's Fight.

Please follow along and say prayer, as those are much needed!

Thank you,

The Bundy Family