My mom was diagnosed in June 2025 with a tumor in her head. Fortunately, the tumor DNA is non-cancerous, but the tumor itself is called a Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma (REAH) which is rare. She’s had some symptoms in the past months that relate to this tumor, and was growing to be roughly 1.5 inches when discovered.

The tumor is pressing on her carotid artery and jugular vein and is also up against the base of her skull, touching her brain. And it is "rare" as it is also eroding the bone at the base of her skull. (Non-cancerous tumors do not do this).

My mom was first seen in Green Bay by an ENT with Bellin Medical Center, who did the 1st biopsy on June 19th. The sample was also sent to Mayo Clinic. When the results came back as "undiagnosable," my mom was referred to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Dr. Kevin Akakpo is the head & neck oncologist who saw my mom in July. He did a 2nd biopsy on July 22nd. After 9 long days of waiting, the DNA results again came back as non-cancerous and again "rare." My mom's case was discussed at Froedtert's Tumor Board meeting, where several specialty surgeons meet and discuss complex cases. After the meeting, Dr. Akakpo called to tell my mom that they just didn't know what the next step will or should be because of the rarity of the tumor. There just hasn't been documentation or sufficient studies done on the tumor.

My mom was then referred to another ENT specialist within Froedtert Hospital, as Dr. Lauren North is a surgeon specializing in masses/tumors of the sinuses. She met with my mom this past week on Tuesday and delivered devastating news. Dr. North had ordered a new MRI to be able to see where exactly the tumor is growing. From what she could see in previous imaging, the tumor is right up against my mom's brain on the base of her skull, and growing into the neck muscle (Longus Colli), pushing on her blood supply-dislocating it forward. This makes surgery extremely high risk and life threatening- stroke, bleeding out, or becoming brain dead. This tumor is usually found in the sinus cavity but has since grown out of it, and treatment for this type of tumor involves removal.

As a family, we want our mom to seek as many second opinions as she can with the specialists who feel they can confidently and safely remove the tumor. So for now, surgery is not an option, and what has been offered at this time is medication for the pain as the tumor will not stop growing and causing painful symptoms.

Because the referral process takes weeks to get in to see other providers, we will need to travel further than Wisconsin, where we will incur travel/hotel expenses. We are hopefully waiting for a referral to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

My mom has always worked before and after all of her major surgeries, but this one is going to take her out of commission; even if surgery cannot be done, the symptoms alone are debilitating, and we are worried about what the future holds.

Anyone generous and willing to help us with a donation, we cannot thank you enough. Even if you are unable to donate money, please keep our mom and family in your prayers. We just are not ready to lose her yet. She will be only 55 on Xmas Eve.

Kelsey, Alex (Haley), Tyler, and the grandkids, G, H, & S.