Trying to Beat the Odds

Most people think…if you can be just 1 of just 8000 people nationally that you have beaten the odds, but what if it’s not? What if you are told you are just 1 of 10-15 million globally, you would think that's even better, right? But that is not necessarily true either.

1 of 8000 nationally, are the odds of having Bile Duct Cancer.

1 of 10-15 million globally, are the of odds of having Cushing’s Disease.

So… what are the odds that you can have Bile Duct Cancer and Cushing’s Disease hit at the same time between a mother and her already disabled child?..... Astronomical!

This is the unfortunate reality for Alecia Wendland her son and Richie. Alecia was diagnosed with Stage 3 Bile Duct Cancer about 3 months ago, and currently is going through Chemo. Because her case is so rare, she has a team of doctors from both Advent Hospital and the Mayo Clinic working to put together to develop the best care possible for her. Her cancer has a high morbidity rate, and she much younger that the average patient afflicted with it.

Richie, is an absolute treasure, but his life has always been challenging. He experienced a grand mal seizure within 24 hours of being born, which was the beginning of a lifetime of seizures due in part to his brain not forming as it should’ve in vitro. Richie was also born cortically blind, but at 8 months old, he was able to receive the treatment necessary to help him see and track an objects for the first time.

In the fall of 2013 Richie was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease. Cushing’s Disease causes his adrenal glands to product cortisol 24 hours a day nonstop. Without the proper treatment Cushing’s can be fatal. When it recurs, It wracks havoc on Richie’s body. The physical changes are painful, it makes him frail, he suffers through seizures, osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, it deteriorates his organs and makes this normally joyous boy uncharacteristically irritable. Richie has undergone brain surgery, and endured seizures so intense he has broken his back and numerous bones.

The road has been long and hard for Richie, but through it all, he remains positive and loving. He touches the hearts of all who meet him. His innocent way of referring to everyone as a “Hot Mess”, “Princess”, “Cowboy” or “.com” just enhances his innate ability to make people smile, and why he has earned the nickname, “Joy Boy”. He is known as the Honorary Mayor of Margaritaville (his neighborhood) and a member of their “Unicorn Security”.

In August, he celebrated his 6th year anniversary of being tumor free (from his Cushing’s), but last week Richie’s regular bloodwork started to show signs of Cushing’s Disease (Tumor) being back. The last time that his Cushing’s returned, it entailed many trips to the only hospital that could help, the NIH in Baltimore Maryland as well as a ton of testing and multiple pharmaceuticals.

As you can imagine the care and treatments for both Alecia, and Richie are taxing mentally, physically and financially not only on them, but their entire family. We would like to thank you all in advance for all the prayers and support you can offer as the family has seen for themselves what is possible when many people come together in prayer, show faith and trust in our Almighty Father the Ultimate Healer. In addition to your prayers, we also want to ask for financial donations as you are able to give please. Any amount that you can afford to donate to this wonderful family would be greatly appreciated. Please, share this post with your friends and family, we would like to raise as much as we possibly can. We want to try to help them “beat the odds”. Blessings to you all.

We learned today that Alecia must now have 9-12 months more Chemo, before they can consider any surgery for her due to involvement in her lymph nodes. Consequently we have increased our goal.