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On January 23, 2020, the lives of the Hogan family were changed forever. After several nights of waking up vomiting, 2 year old Caiden was sent to the hospital for an MRI, “just to be safe and rule out anything neurological”. At around noon, Katie heartbreakingly sent out a text message “There’s a growth”. Caiden was scheduled for an emergency surgery the following day to remove the cancerous tumor that had been growing at the base of his brain stem. Due to the location of the tumor, Doctors were unable to safely remove the entire mass because every time they tried to reach it, his heart rate would drop too low, but there was optimism that enough had been removed. Caiden, our “Iron Man” came out of a grueling 8 hour brain surgery full of smiles and was actually discharged early because he wouldn’t sit still at the hospital! Hopes were high that this would be where his battle ended.
In April, Caiden went for the first of a series of 4 post-op MRIs to monitor growth and track progress, and the scan showed no growth. As the rest of the world fell apart with the raging COVID-19 pandemic, we were all filled with hope. In July, Katie and Caiden headed back for what we were hoping would be the second routine MRI. Although the visit started with a great deal of optimism, it again ended with the heartbreaking text “there’s a growth”.
Caiden’s tumor had grown and it was determined that he would need to start a rigorous course of chemotherapy. Caiden had a port placed in his chest and began receiving bi-weekly treatments. On a daily basis, together Katie, Brian, and Caiden dealt with the side effects of treatment, including vomiting, constipation, pain, hair loss, and exhaustion – on top of dealing with a toddler in the midst of his Terrible Twos!!!!
In addition to him enduring pokes and prods, finger sticks and neuro checks, checking platelet counts and neutrophil levels, and several COVID swabs (which he hated the most), Caiden developed an allergy to his chemotherapy drug. Due to this response, his Doctors determined that he needed to switch medications and begin a new treatment protocol, which comes with its own new challenges and side effects. While the new treatment is a shorter day, it requires an increase in frequency of appointments – so he now has to go for treatment weekly.
Because of this, Katie has had to reduce her hours to part-time in order to manage Caiden’s new treatment schedule (in addition to having a newborn at home). The unexpected increase in costs of the additional visits required with this new treatment, the seemingly never-ending co-pays, the constant notifications from the insurance company disallowing certain tests and treatments, and the cut in her salary all happening together, have put them in an extremely stressful situation.
With weekly treatments expected until at least August, and possibly longer depending on the results, we are looking to come together to give them a hand and at least reduce some of the financial stress associated with his treatment. Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
In April, Caiden went for the first of a series of 4 post-op MRIs to monitor growth and track progress, and the scan showed no growth. As the rest of the world fell apart with the raging COVID-19 pandemic, we were all filled with hope. In July, Katie and Caiden headed back for what we were hoping would be the second routine MRI. Although the visit started with a great deal of optimism, it again ended with the heartbreaking text “there’s a growth”.
Caiden’s tumor had grown and it was determined that he would need to start a rigorous course of chemotherapy. Caiden had a port placed in his chest and began receiving bi-weekly treatments. On a daily basis, together Katie, Brian, and Caiden dealt with the side effects of treatment, including vomiting, constipation, pain, hair loss, and exhaustion – on top of dealing with a toddler in the midst of his Terrible Twos!!!!
In addition to him enduring pokes and prods, finger sticks and neuro checks, checking platelet counts and neutrophil levels, and several COVID swabs (which he hated the most), Caiden developed an allergy to his chemotherapy drug. Due to this response, his Doctors determined that he needed to switch medications and begin a new treatment protocol, which comes with its own new challenges and side effects. While the new treatment is a shorter day, it requires an increase in frequency of appointments – so he now has to go for treatment weekly.
Because of this, Katie has had to reduce her hours to part-time in order to manage Caiden’s new treatment schedule (in addition to having a newborn at home). The unexpected increase in costs of the additional visits required with this new treatment, the seemingly never-ending co-pays, the constant notifications from the insurance company disallowing certain tests and treatments, and the cut in her salary all happening together, have put them in an extremely stressful situation.
With weekly treatments expected until at least August, and possibly longer depending on the results, we are looking to come together to give them a hand and at least reduce some of the financial stress associated with his treatment. Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated!