Trent’s Battle to Beat Glioblastoma Grade 4 Odds

Hello. My name is Allison Kuhn, and I am blessed to be Trent Langlois’ sister-in-law. On September 7th the breath was sucked from our lungs when a large tumor was found on the left side of Trent’s brain. God’s Grace used the St Charles Valero Site Medical team’s conservatism and the nearby St Charles parish hospital to find what nobody could have ever expected.

To say this has been overwhelming, devastating, and quite honestly reliving an absolute nightmare we can’t wake up from - and that doesn’t seem to come close to describing the pain we are feeling. While we greatly appreciate everyone wanting to reach out and offer help, the reality is Trent, only 47, is literally fighting for his life. His family will need every bit of strength devoted to what we are praying will be a miracle and creating beautiful long-lasting memories.

What you can do

1. Pray - simply thinking good thoughts for Trent and his family and the continued battle. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” - Colossians 4:2

2. Ask that God Bless and guide Trent’s Medical Team “May your favor be showered upon our healthcare workers, God.” Psalms 90:17

3. Uplift Trent by sharing your best stories of your times with him to others. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

3. Remain Optimistic that Trent will beat the odds and his prognosis be different than the statistics show. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1

4. Hug the closest loved one you are near - or go get near some! Don’t take a day for granted to spend time with your loved ones here on Earth and tell them how much they mean to you. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

We will do everything we can to give updates when there are significant changes. Trent has an incredible amount of people who love and care for him. Most importantly, Alexsis (41) his wife, and his incredible children Cole (18) and Ashlynn (11) who are bravely navigating this nightmare with grace. Again, right now, the best thing you can do is pray for Trent - and for that we will be greatly appreciative.

The priority right now is for Trent to get the treatment he needs and for his family to get what rest they can as they continue to face each crucial round of this battle. As you can imagine, the severity of Trent’s prognosis is a difficult reality for our family and friends to accept. Most especially after the loss of his brother-in-law and my brother Louis, who quickly and recently lost his battle to cancer at only 34.

We ask that you please refrain from reaching out during this very difficult time. While you are all loved, appreciated, and thanked for wanting to express your thoughts directly - know that Trent and his family understand how much he and his successful battle means to you. It is simply too much, and very overwhelming, to try and keep their full attention on beating the Glioblastoma Grade 4 Odds. But that is exactly what we intend to do with the strength of our faith and your prayers.

Our family is deeply rooted in our Faith. While we are all still mourning for the loss of Louis, we will use God’s strength and our special Angel above as we navigate and learn to trust in His will.

Trent and Alexsis have so far been very blessed with great health insurance and very successful careers. Many have asked for updates and a Go Fund Me. If you’re wondering, the $20k comes from the number of years Trent and Alexsis have stood by each others sides through thick and thin! Any funds will go to ensure Trent and His family have everything they need to fight this fight. Anything not needed will be donated to support other great causes.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Trent and his family’s situation. There are no right or wrong words for a time like this, but below you will find a great deal of information about what’s going on. Scroll to the very bottom for the most recent updates.

A little background

As many of Trent’s loved ones know, he lost his brother-in-law, and our baby brother just 4 short years ago to cancer at only 34. Losing my brother, Joseph ‘Louis’ White IV, is something our entire family is still learning to cope with. Lex, my “baby sister” was incredibly close to Louis in age and in every way you could imagine.

Our family pulled together for the 8 short months we had Louis after he was diagnosed with a cancer that had little to no risk factors. No family history, not exposed to anything that would have caused it, and what doctors were confident he would overcome. The outpouring of love was beyond humbling. As you can imagine, we are praying for a different outcome.

About Trent

At 47 Trent has a lot going for him during this battle - his age, fitness, faith, strength, and support system. He absolutely adores my sister, Alexsis. Most often committed and driven solely to ensure he treated our sister, daughter, mother, aunt, and friend as his “better half”. It is often said he keeps her on a pedestal and would do anything for her. Alexsis worked hard to prove everyone how with the right passion and faith, you could achieve anything, and is a very successful nurse anesthetist (provides pain medication/anesthesia). From the early years, Trent was right there to ensure she achieved a dream she was so passionate about.

Next to his wife of 20 years, he is a strong and devoted father of Cole and Ashlynn. They are what his dreams were made of come to life. Cole has an incredible aptitude to fix anything and a love of duck hunting. Ashlynn is devoted to caring for any animal she can get her hands on - most especially horses.

As a proud St Amant Gator and lifelong Ascension Parish resident, Trent’s path has allowed him to meet incredible people. He’s worked at BASF (where he met student worker Alexsis), Invensys, and Valero. He had in fact just been recognized with another promotion due to his hard work. There isn’t anything dealing with electrical, automation, process control, jambalaya cooking, gumbo making, and…… (we may be biased - but the list goes well on.

What Trent is Battling

Once the tumor was found on September 7, 2023, no time was wasted to get him to M. D. Anderson. We were blessed when Dr. Prabhu and his team performed a craniotomy on a Saturday, September 16. An incredible 95% of the very irregularly shaped tumor was removed. the doctors believe the roughly 2 inch tumor had only grown during the last 3-6 months. For reference, a 1 inch tumor is considered large.

Because the Left side of the brain involves speech and memory, every bit that could be reasonably taken out was. His care team went as far as possible with the plan to ensure Trent did not come out of surgery with serious deficiencies by not trying to get all of the fingers that are intertwined in the brain. By choosing this path, it gave Trent better odds that after the initial surgery they wouldn’t leave him not being able to speak.

All signs from the first CT to the craniotomy pointed to Glioblastoma, Grade 3, but more likely Grade 4. His care team always felt the craniotomy would be followed with lengthy radiation and chemotherapy. We prayed fiercely as we waited for pathology.

The Silver Lining

Although Trent was diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma- God gave “A Silver Lining”. Pathology reports found Trent’s tumor has an important marker for the response to chemo - MGMT methylation. The last results provided the final diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4 IDH Wild Type.

The best news is Trent’s physical recovery couldn’t have gone any better. He is still on anti-seizure medication and to date He has been blessed. More importantly, he promises to keep following doctors orders, which is more than can be said for the larger family.

What’s ahead for Trent

Together, on October 9th, 2023, Trent and Alexsis loaded their vehicle up to the gills for M. D. Anderson. With plenty of what’s needed to start this long hard journey, and outright battle, to slow down the growth of Trent’s tumor. Their temporary “home away from home” will be where they will rest, recover, and prepare for what’s next. As of now, he will have the minimum course of radiation, 5 days a week for at least 6 weeks. In addition, daily chemotherapy will be used for at least 6 weeks.

Optune will start at the end of radiation. With a shaved head, a device will be worn for 18 hrs/day that delivers low energy. This increases survival time and the time that the tumor comes back. There is little doubt from the medical team that the tumor will continue to progress for a 2nd time, a 3rd time, etc.

About Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4 IDH Wild Type

The best treatment includes tumor resection with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy (temozolomide). What you will find is research shows even in the best-case scenario, this aggressive glioblastoma carries an earth-shattering average survival of less than 2 years. Only 5% of patients survive more than five years.

God Bless Trent’s Medical Team and the incredible M.D. Anderson staff/facilities

We want to recognize ALL the care team at MD Anderson below for giving such incredible care, compassion, and the best chance for Trent to see many years ahead.

To list a few:

Dr. Sujit Prabhu (Nuerosurgeon)

Dr. Evan Bander, (Neurosurgical Oncology Fellow), Barbara J O’Brien (Oncologist)

Dr. Evan Bander (Neurosurgical Oncology fellow)

Dr. Nasser Mohammed (Neurology fellow)

Dr. Subha Perni (radiologist)

Garret Williford (Research Coordinator)

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Trent and his family’s situation. We truly can’t thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers!

October 16 update directly from Alexsis

I would like to also thank each and everyone of you for the continued support, love, and compassion you have given Trent, myself, our children, and extended family.

My family is the most valued gift God has gifted me. Although God has exposed my weakness and vulnerability in midst of the loss of my brother, I know he has done this to humble me and to stand strong and walk by my Faith! Deep in my heart I feel Trent will be healed! Trent Langlois I stand beside you and know you’re willing, ready, and steadily fighting. Your have proven this and continue to inspire me!

We place God first and ask you to do the same as we embrace God’s purpose and pray accordingly! Many have asked what they can do to help—Most importantly, sincerely and wholeheartedly I ask you to PRAY! Please take the time out of your busy schedule and pray for Trent’s full healing, our strength, our children and your own individual needs. We are praising God of his miraculous intervention that lead to Trent’s successful craniotomy. We specifically ask God to continue to provide the miracle to heal Trent completely through this journey. Pray in any way your heart speaks to God or through the prayers he has given us.

I have chosen to pray “Father, glorify Your name.”

“Father, glorify Your name.” “Answer my cry, O Lord, in a way that will accomplish Your will, for Your will is good, acceptable, and perfect. It is best for You, and therefore best for me and any others who may be affected by this prayer.

Amen