Lucas’s Brain Surgery, Recovery, and Chemo

Hello, my name is Addie, and I am fundraising for my nephew Lucas, my brother Bobby and his wife, Marissa. It has been a week since this nightmare began. Lucas was diagnosed with a brain mass and transferred to Phoenix Children's Hospital on August 6. Expecting to start his Senior year of High School on August 7, his expected best year of his life was interrupted while heading to the outlets to pick up a pair of sneakers for his younger sister Natalie. Lucas pulled over because he lost his peripheral vision and could not remember his name. After a cat scan at the ER, it was determined that he had some mass on his brain. Fast forward a few hours later, and an MRI at PCH decided that he had a tumor on his cerebellum in the 4th ventricle. Surgery was a must.

On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, Lucas was nervous, scared, muscular, and more before surgery. The Neurosurgeon was confident the surgery would be a success. But he was warned that he would be in severe pain and that brain cancer was possibly possible. After 7.5 hours of waiting, Lucas came out of surgery and was put into ICU. By all accounts, the surgery was a success. Lucas spoke his first words late evening and passed his first neuro tests. But, he would be diagnosed with medulloblastoma Cancer. The road to recovery would be extended. The first night was full of pain and little sleep for anyone.

On Thursday, he endured another MRI with positive results. The doctor did get the entire mass; verticals were shrinking, so the drain port was working. The part of the brain being pushed down by the mass is no longer being hindered and is returning to its place. He was still uncomfortable and in pain.

Day three would test his strength; it was the first time he would hold his head up and walk. He did great, but it wiped him out for the rest of the day. His nausea was pretty bad, and he was having difficulty eating. Occupational therapy will continue, and he will remain in the ICU.

Day four was better; Lucas ate a donut and French toast and slept four hours last night.

Cancer Treatment: On Friday, August 11, 2023, Lucas and his family were given the surgery results and what his treatment would look like. It will be a long road. He will need Chemotherapy and radiation. He will need a spinal tap in 10 days, to check for cells in the spinal cord. This will determine the length of the Chemotherapy and specific medications.

He will have Chemo for at least a year and must endure at least six days a month in the hospital. Radiation will occur for six weeks every day for 5-6 minutes. It will be an outpatient procedure.

Lucas:

Lucas, before surgery, knew how to live life. He was always with his friends and girlfriend. He worked full-time all summer, saving money for an outstanding Senior year. He loves to drive around in his 1972 Oldsmobile Omega and attend car shows. He is a sweet kid and has the biggest smile. He is loving and kind. He was supposed to be a freshman mentor and was looking forward to a great year, attending football games and doing things 17-year-old kids do. Now everything is up in the air. We don't know what he will feel on any given day.

What the Donations will be used for: I want to help my brother and his wife with the medical costs that insurance will not cover. Co-pays and deductibles will be significant. Missed work for both my brother Bobby and sister-in-law Marissa will miss won't help the situation. In addition, my sister-in-law was recently diagnosed with M.S., and the past two years have been difficult. Please consider donating to my fund for Lucas to help relieve the burden of costs this next year will endure.

I wish we could all wake up and have this nightmare over, but we know that won't happen. If I can help make their lives easier, that is all I can ask. I am asking.