Julian's Brain Surgery Journey

**Update: Surgery started around 10:15am and finished around midnight. He got to the PICU at 2am.

Dr. Balsara is his neurosurgeon here at OU Children’s and I am so grateful for the amount of time he spent during this surgery to make sure he did the best job possible, safely. He removed most of the tumor if not all of it. he said there might be some right on top of the thalamus that he did not feel comfortable touching. He did say since it is a slow growing tumor and he believes because of that it is low grade. It is however a glioma, but results are still pending whether benign or malignant. They were also able to biopsy the other mass on the left side of his brain. We are still waiting results since it was so late last night.

Julian is now in the PICU with an EVD (extra ventricular drain) placed that will help drain any excess CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) or relieve any cranial pressure. He also has a breathing tube still in place. They are about to take him down for another MRI to make sure there is no damage to his brain and how the rest of his nervous system is functioning. If the results are good, the breathing tube will come out. He will leave the PICU as soon as he doesn’t need his EVD anymore. we’re expected to be here at children’s for at least another week, and then after that he will more than likely need to do inpatient rehab. However it is still so so early to tell. His left side is still very weak as expected. He’s not able to move that side at all yet but he is very active on his right side. He holds our hands and can hear us

Just keep praying recovery keeps going well. Thank you all for loving my boy just as much as us.

**Help Support 7-Year-Old Julian Arvelo**

I am Julian’s mother. We are reaching out on behalf of our sweet, brave Julian Arvelo, who is only seven years old. Julian began experiencing weakness on the left side of his body, and it was noticed during an occupational therapy evaluation. Concerned, we took him to a neurologist, who ordered an MRI for him. Heartbreakingly, the MRI revealed a brain tumor measuring about 2 inches.

Julian has since been admitted to OU Children’s Hospital, where he is undergoing further testing and evaluation. On July 25, 2025, doctors will perform a right craniotomy, tumor removal, EVD, septum fenestration, & biopsy to learn more about the type of tumor and the best path forward for treatment.

During this overwhelming and uncertain time, we are asking family, friends, and kind-hearted supporters to help us ease the financial burden this journey will bring—from medical bills and hospital stays to travel expenses and time away from work.

Julian is a bright, loving child who means the world to us. Any donation, big or small, and every share of this fundraiser will help us focus on what matters most: getting Julian the care he needs and surrounding him with love and hope.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, prayers, and kindness.

— Julian’s family