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The second among three children in the family, Jondell Christian or JC as he is endearingly called was born like other healthy normal babies. Up to his pre-teens, JC was a healthy boy doing things boys of his age would normally do. It may seem like just yesterday when he used to play and had fun with his friends, classmates and cousins.
JC was about to turn 12 years old in 2008 when events suddenly took an awkward turn. We noticed a weakness in his left hand as he struggled to move it. Relatives and friends who are in the medical field profession were one in advising us that JC's case was symptomatic of serious medical condition. We brought JC to Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Carson, California where he was examined, and finally diagnosed as having a rare brain tumor categorized as high grade "anaplastic ependymoma". The tumor is found in the right frontal side of the brain near the motor strip that affects his functions on the left side.
Two (2) successive emergency resection of the tumor were done that year in 2008, first at Harbor UCLA and finally at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), known to be specializing and treating children with brain tumor. CHLA has now become JC's regular healthcare facility and for his initial radiation therapy, regular visit with oncologist / hematologist and periodic brain monitoring through MRI.
MRI results during the first four years of regular check-ups revealed stable condition for JC although the weakness in his left hand persisted. But in 2012, we have to bear the pain of knowing from JC's specialist doctors that his brain tumor recurred. We have to face a seemingly unending difficult saga in our son's medical conditions. A surgery was immediately done, followed by another in 2013. The series of surgical treatment followed by radiation, chemotherapy, oral chemo medicine. occupational and physical therapy didn't do much to alleviate JC's suffering. JC had gone through three more surgeries this year, only to have frustrating rapid regrowth of his brain tumor after each surgery. After the third surgery this year , doctors detected another type of tumor problem. At this point, the doctors decided that there is no longer surgical remedy for JC's case, and had no plan to do further treatment for him.
Saddened by the doctor's prognosis at CHLA, we sought for a second opinion at the City of Hope Hospital in Duarte. But, the same prognosis was given to us - no available cure of JC's rare brain tumor in the United States. With the grace of God our young son is enduring every pain and suffering - thanks to his strong faith in the Lord.
With JC's unbearable situation, we are constrained to seek alternative medication, albeit not covered by medical insurance. At this point, we have considered holistic treatment to help JC. We want him to enjoy some more time of his life - a life that has been robbed of his youthful dreams.
With your financial support, our family will continue to help JC combat his situation - guided by our strong faith in the Lord. We trust everything to Him, praying that someday in His perfect time JC will be miraculously healed. Your support will be deeply appreciated with heartfelt gratitude. To God be the Glory!
JC was about to turn 12 years old in 2008 when events suddenly took an awkward turn. We noticed a weakness in his left hand as he struggled to move it. Relatives and friends who are in the medical field profession were one in advising us that JC's case was symptomatic of serious medical condition. We brought JC to Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Carson, California where he was examined, and finally diagnosed as having a rare brain tumor categorized as high grade "anaplastic ependymoma". The tumor is found in the right frontal side of the brain near the motor strip that affects his functions on the left side.
Two (2) successive emergency resection of the tumor were done that year in 2008, first at Harbor UCLA and finally at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), known to be specializing and treating children with brain tumor. CHLA has now become JC's regular healthcare facility and for his initial radiation therapy, regular visit with oncologist / hematologist and periodic brain monitoring through MRI.
MRI results during the first four years of regular check-ups revealed stable condition for JC although the weakness in his left hand persisted. But in 2012, we have to bear the pain of knowing from JC's specialist doctors that his brain tumor recurred. We have to face a seemingly unending difficult saga in our son's medical conditions. A surgery was immediately done, followed by another in 2013. The series of surgical treatment followed by radiation, chemotherapy, oral chemo medicine. occupational and physical therapy didn't do much to alleviate JC's suffering. JC had gone through three more surgeries this year, only to have frustrating rapid regrowth of his brain tumor after each surgery. After the third surgery this year , doctors detected another type of tumor problem. At this point, the doctors decided that there is no longer surgical remedy for JC's case, and had no plan to do further treatment for him.
Saddened by the doctor's prognosis at CHLA, we sought for a second opinion at the City of Hope Hospital in Duarte. But, the same prognosis was given to us - no available cure of JC's rare brain tumor in the United States. With the grace of God our young son is enduring every pain and suffering - thanks to his strong faith in the Lord.
With JC's unbearable situation, we are constrained to seek alternative medication, albeit not covered by medical insurance. At this point, we have considered holistic treatment to help JC. We want him to enjoy some more time of his life - a life that has been robbed of his youthful dreams.
With your financial support, our family will continue to help JC combat his situation - guided by our strong faith in the Lord. We trust everything to Him, praying that someday in His perfect time JC will be miraculously healed. Your support will be deeply appreciated with heartfelt gratitude. To God be the Glory!