Noah’s warriors

Spreading support and love for my Nephew Noah and his parents Juan and Tiea ♥️
I am Noah James Spear’s auntie. As many of you have heard, my nephew was recently diagnosed with AVM on his left frontal lobe of his brain. An AVM is an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). It is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, which disrupts normal blood flow and oxygen circulation. These are often developed in utero (while still a fetus), and often go undetected until it is has ruptured. AVM’s are a major cause of aneurisms, and is often referred to as a “ticking time bomb.

My 13 year old nephew is the kindest boy you’d ever meet, truly a special kid. He has such an old soul and is always there to help anyone out. My nephew handles everything with kindness and strength, including losing his father at a young age. We just all feel so shocked with this news.

Noah was at my house one weekend playing with his cousin’s, just enjoying being a kid, when he nonchalantly mentioned he had tingling of his mouth, then his hand. He’s always so low key and always trying to just make others feel comfortable that he didn’t make a big deal about it. So we all assumed it was from the minty gum or the hand sanitizer he had used (hind site is 20/20 ). He seemed fine otherwise and it quickly was gone, and he seemed fine.

It wasn’t until the following week that our world was shaken. Noah had another episode at home with his mom, where she brought him to the ER with more severe symptoms, plus an MRI. The MRI revealed a mass on Noah’s brain. I’ll never forget that phone call. My sister couldn’t breathe as she called me from the side of the road with the news she just received. I felt so helpless and as if my heart stopped for her.

Mama bear pulled it together and went straight to the radiology building requesting more tests and answers. This is when the AVM was discovered.

We are so blessed it was found before rupturing, so many others are unfortunate and this is how they find out they have an AVM ( we need a routine scan to prevent this!).

We are blessed, but Noah is not out of the woods. He has been having seizures and TIA symptoms (transient ischemic attack/mini stroke). He has been back and fourth from Boston Children’s hospital for testing, and Hasbro Children’s Hospital emergency room for episodes where the AVM is irritating his brain. Noah is awaiting surgery scheduled for 2/14/22, and he is in good hands at Boston Children’s hospital to remove the AVM, and we are very hopeful.

But, In the meantime Noah is missing a lot of school when he just wants to be a kid. In the meantime my sister is holding back tears every day, taking days out of work to have 2nd opinions, have testing done to make sure surgery is the best option, pick noah up from school on a days where he’s had an episode of seizures, and sit at the emergency room in fear. Hoping that the AVM isn’t ready to rupture. This is so hard on my sister and nephew, and my heart aches for them. An AVM is not simple to remove, it is brain surgery! There are risks associated, and my sister has done so much research and testing to be sure it’s the right option. My sister and Noah are such strong human beings, I love them so much! I can’t imaging what they’re going through. But I know things are going to be okay, and she is doing an amazing job.

Tiea spears has been the most amazing mother throughout this whole process!  She has gone to every length to make sure Noah is receiving the right treatment, all while shielding him from some of the fears and realities of brain surgery. She has so much support from her husband Juan, and I can’t express how strong they are and how proud I am of them.  I am glad Noah has such great parents. They have been  letting him go to school because he’s begging to live his life, even though it pains her to let him go in fear of the unknowns. Tiea has, and would do anything for anyone. Now Tiea and Noah need us. They need our prayers and support the most. Also I know she is so strong and prideful, but she could really use our financial support for the road ahead. Noah’s symptoms have been presenting agin dispite the seizure medication. There has been many days of missed work , and there will be many more once the surgery and medical expenses are upon us. I really appreciate everyone’s faith and support for the road ahead. Noah sure is one special child, he truly means the world to us, and we love him beyond words! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the support!!