Updated 10/22/18:
In July 2014, at the young age of 8, Mikayla received a devastating and heartbreaking diagnosis that would change her and her family’s lives forever. Mikayla was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a brain tumor. The cancer was present in her brain and spine. Her family was sent into a new and difficult world of supporting a very sick child and caring for their two other boys. With Heidi now unable to work, the family had to manage costly bills and support the cost of childcare for their sons, Jackson and Kaden.
Mikayla and her family embarked on a grueling year of treatments – chemo, radiation, surgery and various therapies. Thankfully, she beat Medulloblastoma and was in remission until May 2, 2018. However, Mikayla endured several side effects that needed to be continually treated at CHOP and locally.
Earlier in 2018, Mikayla, currently being tube fed, went down to Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore for feeding therapy. There, she presented with new symptoms of pain that prevented her from walking. Quickly returning to CHOP, tests were ordered that showed a new mass on Mikayla’s spine. Within hours, Mikayla was in surgery to remove the mass. On May 2, 2018, Mikayla was diagnosed with new cancer, Osteosarcoma.
It’s been 5 months and Mikayla is on her 12th round of chemo. Since her diagnosis, she has lost over 50% of her hearing, endured weeks of rehabilitation, received multiple blood transfusions, suffered 2 seizures, and has had multiple emergency hospitalizations. She has also missed many days of school.
The chemo seems to have stopped the cancer from progressing, but Mikayla must endure an extremely complex and risky surgery to remove the tumor. Currently, the family is waiting to see if MD Anderson in Houston will agree to do the surgery in 2 weeks. If she is accepted for the surgery, she will, unfortunately, come out with severe deficits. In addition to the deficits, the healing process will take 4-6 weeks and she will need at least a month of rehabilitation. If the surgery is a success, Mikayla will then come home and go through at least 9 more rounds of chemo.
2 cancer diagnoses in Mikayla's 12 short years. Heidi needs to be with Mikayla at the hospital and is not able to work. With no local family, they must rely on babysitters, outside services for basic house needs. And friends and family to help allow Jackson and Kaden to have “normal” lives in the midst of this 2nd devastating diagnosis.
We started this fund to help allow Heidi and John to focus on Mikalya’s healing. All funds go directly to the family
Our hope is that the funds raised will help to ease some of the stress during this incredibly challenging time.
The family is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sincerely,
Team Mikayla Matters
In July 2014, at the young age of 8, Mikayla received a devastating and heartbreaking diagnosis that would change her and her family’s lives forever. Mikayla was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a brain tumor. The cancer was present in her brain and spine. Her family was sent into a new and difficult world of supporting a very sick child and caring for their two other boys. With Heidi now unable to work, the family had to manage costly bills and support the cost of childcare for their sons, Jackson and Kaden.
Mikayla and her family embarked on a grueling year of treatments – chemo, radiation, surgery and various therapies. Thankfully, she beat Medulloblastoma and was in remission until May 2, 2018. However, Mikayla endured several side effects that needed to be continually treated at CHOP and locally.
Earlier in 2018, Mikayla, currently being tube fed, went down to Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore for feeding therapy. There, she presented with new symptoms of pain that prevented her from walking. Quickly returning to CHOP, tests were ordered that showed a new mass on Mikayla’s spine. Within hours, Mikayla was in surgery to remove the mass. On May 2, 2018, Mikayla was diagnosed with new cancer, Osteosarcoma.
It’s been 5 months and Mikayla is on her 12th round of chemo. Since her diagnosis, she has lost over 50% of her hearing, endured weeks of rehabilitation, received multiple blood transfusions, suffered 2 seizures, and has had multiple emergency hospitalizations. She has also missed many days of school.
The chemo seems to have stopped the cancer from progressing, but Mikayla must endure an extremely complex and risky surgery to remove the tumor. Currently, the family is waiting to see if MD Anderson in Houston will agree to do the surgery in 2 weeks. If she is accepted for the surgery, she will, unfortunately, come out with severe deficits. In addition to the deficits, the healing process will take 4-6 weeks and she will need at least a month of rehabilitation. If the surgery is a success, Mikayla will then come home and go through at least 9 more rounds of chemo.
2 cancer diagnoses in Mikayla's 12 short years. Heidi needs to be with Mikayla at the hospital and is not able to work. With no local family, they must rely on babysitters, outside services for basic house needs. And friends and family to help allow Jackson and Kaden to have “normal” lives in the midst of this 2nd devastating diagnosis.
We started this fund to help allow Heidi and John to focus on Mikalya’s healing. All funds go directly to the family
Our hope is that the funds raised will help to ease some of the stress during this incredibly challenging time.
The family is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sincerely,
Team Mikayla Matters
Fundraising team: Team Mikayla Matters4
Heidi Tarshis-Hornick
Beneficiary