Max’s Fight Against Childhood Brain Tumor
Max is 7 years old and is our wonderful, funny, sweet, Transformer-loving, flower growing, inflatable obsessing, son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and little best friend.
On April 8, 2022 Max underwent a sleep study for various sleep disturbances including extreme nighttime breathing issues. After getting results with abnormal findings, the doctors ordered a follow up MRI. That MRI also showed significant abnormalities. So, the doctors ordered a second screening. Following the second MRI, on April 22, we were hit with the earth shattering, totally devastating news that Max has a brain stem tumor.
While any brain tumor is traumatic, a brain stem tumor is particularly so. The brain stem is a vital area of the brain as it controls so many essential bodily functions such as swallowing, heart rate, and breathing. The growth pattern of Max's tumor is diffuse - interspersed with his brain tissue rather than separate from it, which means surgical removal is impossible.
On April 27, brave Max underwent brain surgery. An expert team of neurosurgeons collected a biopsy of the tumor's tissue to help identify more about it. Thankfully, Max came out of the 6 1/2 hour procedure without showing signs of any of the negative neurological side-effects that are always a risk with brain surgery. Unfortunately, it is unclear whether the biopsy sample will produce as many details about Max's tumor as was hoped. The biopsy has now been sent for a long testing process which could take an agonizing month to complete.
We remain hopeful that the biopsy will still provide helpful information. Identifying the tumor, including information about its rate of growth, is the goal of the treatment team as they continue to try to develop the best course of care to save Max. If the biopsy results are inconclusive, we do not know what the plan will be.
We have set up this page primarily to raise money for whatever treatment options the team determines are best--options we hope will suppress the growth or even shrink Max's tumor.
We are also hoping that the money raised will enable Max's parents, David & Shelley Karl, and his family to be able to look after him and spend as much time with him and his 10-year-old sister Emma, as possible, without worrying about life expenses and bills. They live in Ashland, OH and have been traveling to Akron - about an hour away, adding up gas money, food costs, and missing work days.
Please support us and give whatever amount you can, big or small. It truly means the world to have any and all support during this heartbreaking time.
Many thanks,
Max’s family and friends
