Dylan is an extraordinary little boy. He is full of energy and has an unbelievable imagination. He charms everyone he meets. He adores his older sister as much as his baby sister. Maybe he is your typical 3-year-old boy, but to us, he is the world.

Just after I returned to work from maternity leave, we learned that Dylan has a rare condition. He has an intracranial dermoid cyst. When he was seven months old, he had a cyst removed from his nose. We thought that was the end of it. On a follow up MRI, we learned it is growing inside his head.

It took a lot for me to grasp that my little boy would need brain surgery. I still don’t know how to comprehend it. I am partly comforted knowing he will be treated by the very best doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital. But, the worry extends beyond his health.

I used up all my sick time and FMLA when I had our baby. My insurance won’t cover the whole operation. We will be responsible for thirty percent of the total cost. I don’t know what the exact total will be. They expect a seven-hour surgery and a few days in the hospital. That, plus the travel and stay in Boston, all at a time when we don’t really have any extra. I will be able to stay home for a few weeks to take care of him, but we won’t have our normal income.

He is scheduled to have his surgery November 9th. They will remove a small external cyst and get what they can that way. Then, they will have to do a craniotomy to get the cyst that lays behind his forehead. He doesn’t really understand, and we don’t expect him to. I just want this to be over and have him back to his adorable little self!

Anything will help! Even just spreading the word and sending prayers. Thank you in advance for your help, in whatever way you can!