Courtney Denley's Medical Expenses

Courtney Gagnon Denley was diagnosed September 5, 2009 with a Grade 3 astrocytoma brain tumor. This tumor was declared inoperable being as it was located in the thalamus of the brain. After trips to MD Anderson and Duke University for treatment options, Courtney and family decided to proceed with Duke's plan of attack. She underwent radiation and chemotherapy (oral) at her local hospital (Ochsner-main campus, Metairie, LA). 6-9 months later a visit to Duke showed little to no change in the brain tumor, so the Duke doctors had another route to go which was a procedure called,"stereotactic radiation and an iv chemotherapy called Avastin." On January 31, 2013, almost 3.5 years from original diagnosis and many trips to Duke University, we got the news we had so longed for and that the tumor was inactive. On her follow up MRI around a month later, Courtney's doctors noticed a small spot forming on the cerebellum part of the brain. As bad as this news hurt , Courtney said "I will beat this one too!" We followed advice of doctors as they said lets just assume this tumor is same kind so we will use same protocol that ultimately ended the original tumor's life. So Courtney flew right back to Duke for a 2 week stereotactic radiation and chemotherapy treatments. We came back home to Slidell, LA and got on with our lives as usual with Courtney doing the Avastin chemo every 2 weeks. We often got same prognosis week in and week out and that was tumor has really remained the same size and is still active. We went in for MRI around first of March and doctors informed us that second tumor appeared to be growing and activity seemed greater as well. The good news of this tumor was it could be operated on and removed. The doctors wanted to waste very little time so they scheduled operation as soon as they could. On May 15, 2015, Dr. Ware of Ochsners hospital medical team performed a successful surgery on our Courtney and was able to remove the tumor. We all felt really good about the surgery and hoped Courtneys recovery would be quick and painless. Unfortunately though after operation, Courtney has had many troubles with her motor skills which includes even walking. A week after surgery she checked into an inpatient physical therapy treatment center and undergoes many exercises during the day to help her try to get back to the person she once was. Courtney will go home on June 12 and still has many troubles facing her even just the dream of walking again often seems monumental. The biopsy of the second tumor also revealed this tumor to be a grade 4 type tumor. We often feel beaten and out of hope but with God and all the wonderful family and friends we have surrounding us, we stay the course. We have a long road ahead of us but ironically have been blessed by these struggles in so many other ways! Please pray for Courtney's journey ahead, after coming home this week she will start treatment again on area of the brain where tumor was removed. Thanks so much for all prayers and gifts, our family is forever grateful!