How did we get here?

A few months ago, Sofia began taking blood pressure medication and worked through a number of side effects. For the past month or so, she had been experiencing migraines, which she attributed to needing an updated eye prescription.

On Wednesday, January 14th, Sofia and her sister Brinna went to her eye appointment. Her doctor discovered that her right optic nerve was swollen and sent her directly to the hospital for an MRI. During the imaging appointment, staff asked whether she had driven herself — and when they learned she hadn’t, they made clear she should not be driving. By the time she walked from the Imaging Department to the parking lot, her primary care doctor was already calling to tell her she needed to go to “Big Mercy” that night — through the ER, where a neurologist was expecting her.

By 2am, she was admitted. After two nights, multiple doctors, and a series of tests, Sofia was told she would be having brain surgery Monday morning. The procedure was to remove a large mass located on her front right cortex — the cause of her migraines, which had already shifted her brain 15mm toward her skull. She was able to go home for the weekend to get some love from her dog Cotton and sleep in her own bed. In a beautiful act of taking control of her own story, she also chose to cut her hair — and Connor, Brinna, Madison, and Kurran joined her.

On January 19th, after an 8.5-hour surgery, Sofia was diagnosed with Grade 4 Astrocytoma with IDH mutation. Following six days in the hospital and six more in a rehabilitation facility, she has begun oncology and radiation appointments alongside speech, occupational, and physical therapy.

Given the stage of her brain cancer, qualifying for a clinical trial would be a significant breakthrough. After Connor and Sofia completed an online questionnaire, Duke University reached out. On February 17th, Sofia, Connor, Brinna, and her dad made the drive to North Carolina to meet with Dr. Madison Shoaf, MD. The current plan is for Sofia to complete her upcoming round of chemo and radiation, after which they will return to Duke.

The funds raised here will go directly toward supporting Sofia and Connor as they navigate this journey. Sofia is currently on short-term disability, but when it transitions to long-term disability, she will receive only 60% of her income. Connor has submitted his FMLA paperwork and is awaiting a response. On top of everything else, their travel needs are increasing significantly — regular trips for radiation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy, plus the drives to and from Duke.

We are hoping to ease some of that burden. Every bit helps. We know that not everyone is in a position to help monetarily, we love prayers!