August of 2018 while enjoying the dog days of summer as any 6 year old boy should be doing, Allison (Cyd's mom) noticed a bump on Cyd's belly while he was wearing his swim trunks. A doctor's appointment to check on what it could be resulted in the most devastating news that any mother, father and family could imagine...cancer. Cyd was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hepatoblastoma (a rare tumor (an abnormal tissue growth) that originates in cells in the liver. It is the most common cancerous liver tumor in early childhood) with metastasis (spreading) to the lungs.  

After meeting with a team of doctors, a treatment plan was discussed which involved 8-10 months of chemotherapy along with other intensive therapies. Shortly after starting chemotherapy, tests and scans were showing positive results and Cyd's energy levels were coming back, slowly but surely. He was beginning to eat & play like a normal 6 year old should be doing! Unfortunately though, the next few weeks and months would include many chemotherapy appointments which would require a few days and nights at the hospital in-patient. 

Things were beginning to look up...there were good days and bad days. In December of 2018 Cyd had to have surgeries to remove the nodules on his lungs which, as can be expected, had Cyd (and mom and dad) feeling anxious, nervous, unsure and scared. Again, all things a child shouldn't be feeling or if he is...more so because of a scary ride at Valley Fair or ComoTown, not cancer. After surgery, things were going well and on the agenda for the days ahead were: blowing bubbles, playing Legos, playing on his Nintendo switch...and then working on standing, sitting, transferring, etc. 

In February of 2019...Cyd's AFP results (tumor markers) came in higher than expected and at an alarming jump, from 72 to 800, which was not good news. Cyd was scheduled for a liver transplant at the U of M, however, a doctor at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago (Dr. Superina) successfully resected the liver tumors in April removing almost 80% of his liver, which grew back within 4 weeks. By May...Cyds AFP was 6 (good news!), feeling better and the scans were looking good. 

A few months later, almost a year after the initial diagnosis, a trip to the clinic with stomach pain, docs admitted Cyd for what they thought was acute pancreatitis due to high lipase levels. However, an MRI & CT showed masses in the liver and lungs, and a mass outside the liver. This revealed that Cyd’s cancer had returned which meant more surgery, more biopsies, more chemotherapy, more waiting…and more praying.

Cyd needs your help. His family needs your help. On September 1st Cyd, his mom Allison, Dad Alcyd and little brother Archie traveled (by car as airports are way too germy and would put Cyd at risk for other infections) to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to meet with a doctor who specializes in Hepatoblastoma. Because Cyd's AFP marker is not consistent with scans, his case has become more complex and requires the expertise of a doctor who specializes in pediatric liver tumors. When your kid is sick…you travel to the ends of the earth to make them better. The end of the earth is in Cincinnati for now. But as you can imagine, they’ll be incurring additional unexpected costs such as: gas, car maintenance, hotel/lodging stays (Ronald McDonald House has no vacancies right now), food, bills while away from home (mortgage, amenities, etc.) and a furnace that needs a tune up because their current one isn’t working at its capacity. Not to mention, Allison & Alcyd are looking into alternative treatment plans that insurance will not cover. So the time is NOW…to help in any way that you can. A dollar…a few dollars…a few hundred dollars, whatever you can. But Cyd needs your help. His family needs your help. Can you help today? Right Now? Cyd thanks you. His parents, little brother, family & friends thank you. We thank you.