<div>I initially was not going to start a GoFundMe, but I've had a number of people ask how they can help.


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<div>As I'm sure many know, two years ago, <strong>Zayden was treated for an ependymoma (brain tumor)</strong>. Dr. Lew and his surgical team successfully removed all of the tumor. Unfortunately, he contracted meningitis three times and also received radiation for six weeks. After just shy of six months of hospitalization, we were able to bring Zayden home. Zayden was operated on a total of nine times, one of which he had to have a VP shunt placed to drain his cerebrospinal fluid. As a result of this ordeal, Zayden lost his ability to walk, has facial palsy on his left side, and incurred several developmental delays. He has made leaps and bounds in the last two years in his recovery. His muscles atrophied from an extended hospital stay, and when we first brought him home, he could barely lift his head up off the pillow. It was very hard to see our little boy in this state; he was once extremely agile and athletic and was hard to chase around. In the last few months, he had regained a significant amount of stability and has taken several steps assisted while either holding his hand or by grabbing onto objects in the room.


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<div>Since his discharge in February of 2023, we have had to bring him back to the hospital every three months or so to ensure that the cancer has not returned. There have been a few alarming scans, but for the most part, they have all been positive, and things had been looking up.


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<div>Unfortunately, the most recent scan revealed what we feared the most... <strong>Zayden now has tumor growth along the base of his spinal column</strong>. The tumor appears to have rapidly grown because it was absent on his last scan in July. It is compressing against his nerves going into the bladder, his feet, and various other organs. He has been inexplicably irritable the last month or so, and more than likely, he has been having nerve pain without the ability to tell us due to being non-verbal. As I type now, the surgeons are operating on him, and we are praying in Jesus' name, believing that God is able to bring him through this


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<div>Through all of this, he has truly inspired me with his fighting spirit. No matter what comes his way, he just never stops moving, and even having to wake him up and drag him to the hospital this morning (in the pictured wagon) at 6 am, he still had a smirk on his face and a playful spirit.


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<div><strong>Best case scenario, Dr. Lew does not believe that he will be able to remove all of the tumor but is hoping that he can remove most of it</strong>. After a few days of recovery, this will be followed by approximately six weeks of radiation therapy. All in all, he will receive treatment for at least two months here at the children's hospital here in Milwaukee. All of which time I will be out of work. I planned to do rideshare for income while we are here; however, my vehicle is not in the greatest shape, and the least amount of time that I have to step away will put less pressure on mom while Zayden is outpatient and we have to bring him to the hospital for radiation therapy.


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<div>Any and all donations are most appreciated, and I appreciate everyone who has already reached out to me to offer prayers and kind thoughts!


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<div>Update**
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<div>Current date: 02-13-2026
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<div>On 02/11/2026 zayden competed his radiation therapy. It was a long and treacherous road for him; Every night before radiation he was not allowed to eat for 8 hours prior treatments and he had a considerable amount of irritability after each treatment. He endured it and he continues to be an inspiration to for how resilient he is with everything he goes through. Also, the following day he received a much needed dental surgery due to extensive decay of 16 of teeth. This was a result of many months in the hospital with the use of harsh antibiotics and the inability to properly care for his teeth in the hospital with an external drain being attached. 
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<div>Now that his treatment has been successfully completed, when can return home in a few days
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<div>Although, he is currently done being treated, we still have many expenses that have occured. We had just moved into a new rental a couple weeks before zayden was diagnosed  and have become considerably past due with rent. The greatest challenge that we have right now is finding a new vehicle that is safe and reliable. Both of our vehicles are older, have considersable under body rust, and require other costly repairs that are more than the value of the vehicles. After returning home, we will shortly have a considerable amount of long distance travel for follow up appointments so finding a new vehicle soon is crucial for us. 
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<div>Once again...Thank you so much to everyone for your financial contributions , prayers and moral support!!!
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Odie Fakhouri

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Aid in Zayden's tumor recovery and flooded home.

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