Help Tristan strong arm brain cancer

Hi, we're the Smiths, Tristan (our fighter), Chris (dad), and Heather (mom).

The last 3 weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of news we never thought in a million years we'd ever be on the receiving end of. We never thought we'd have a need to start a GoFundMe for anything, let alone the diagnosis Tristan received. As I type this, it's so incredibly mind-blowing, humbling, and scary if we're being real. Creating this GoFundMe was a tough decision to make. We don't want to ask for handouts, but as the weeks are starting to pass, I think the realization is coming around that we may need a little extra support.

On March 26th, 2025, Tristan was found unconscious at work after having what we now know to have been a seizure. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital by ambulance, where he underwent a CT scan of his head, which was found to have an abnormality within his brain. They followed up with an MRI of his head. The MRI results indicated there was a mass in his brain, which at that time we were being advised that it was either an infection or a tumor. Armed with this information and paired with the fact that Tristan is 17 years old, he was transferred early in the morning on March 27th to Seattle Children's Hospital.

It was at Seattle Children's that we were actually shown an image of the "mass" and advised of plans to admit him. The mass is on the right side of his brain, which controls his left-sided functions. At this point, we had already noticed the effects of the mass/seizure had already started to affect him. His left-sided arm/hand have been affected, and he's lost some strength and coordination, which is visible.

He remained inpatient at Seattle Children's while they tried to determine the next steps. We were being told that the location of the mass is difficult. On Friday, March 28th, Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, a pediatric neurosurgeon, and his team successfully completed a brain biopsy of this mass. Tristan was released to go home the next day, where we've spent the next couple of weeks getting all the life-altering news.

What we now know:

- Tristan has high-grade aggressive glioma (brain cancer).

- Tristan’s tumor covers a large area of the right side of his brain and for this reason is inoperable.

- He needs to start radiation and chemotherapy. This is a coordinated effort between Seattle Children’s and Tacoma General (MultiCare).

- At this time, we do know that radiation will be 33 days of radiation (Monday thru Friday) at Tacoma General. Presently, the care team is creating that plan.

- Chemo will be started in conjunction with the radiation therapy; in fact, they will start the exact same day.

We are currently completing all the necessary planning appointments to make sure this happens.

We took a win this past week after getting results from a spinal tap and additional imaging that confirmed the cancer had not dropped down into his spine, as initially there was some concern regarding that.

What is our plan with this crowdfunding request?

This may be a long-winded answer, but bear with me (I want you to be sure):

While we have savings and maybe some 401k left (haven’t looked since the markets have been so violent), we are fully prepared to withdraw any and all money we have to secure Tristan's precious time to live his best life. We are also prepared to file bankruptcy, sell our home and everything in it… it's just facts. We will stop at nothing to save him.

We did apply for financial assistance with Seattle Children’s and we were approved at 80% assistance within their organization and a couple of others within their networks should he end up needing care within those groups. SO ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.

We did apply for financial assistance within MultiCare as well, and they denied us. They are who holds most of our newly accumulated medical debt. I’ve submitted an appeal just yesterday morning, really begging them to reconsider.

Presently, Chris and I are burning through vacation and sick time, but as we know, that will end. Additionally, we’ve both applied for WA state paid FMLA, but that has its own criteria and protocol. We’ve been pended since last week and can’t see any updates as of yet. Everything takes time, but I’ve learned with that as well, the availability of payment for that is pretty restricted as well.

We have spent the last few weeks learning to navigate something we don’t know how to navigate and finding out rules when our mind has a chance to think about what we read.

1. We want to provide Tristan with as many YES answers as possible, that is within reason. Safety and financial. Your help could help support this more than anything else in the world!

2. The medical bills are starting to roll in…

3. We are already burning through any and all available PTO; that will run out, and we do anticipate missing a significant amount of time. He is our son.

4. Even paid FMLA, when approved, isn’t our full wage, and the reality is we do have the strongest desire to keep a roof over his head, now and forever.

Please keep in mind, Tristan is less than 2 months out from completing his senior year of high school. His world has been rocked. He needs so much freaking support! EVERYTHING COUNTS! Help us love him however you can.

I promise to keep this page updated at least once a week. Please just bear with us. It’s all so raw and intense, and at times we just need a moment to take it all in.