Operation Branden
Donation protected
In the fall of 2020, just after the start of his freshman year at North Star Montessori Academy, 14 year old Branden started to experience headaches and had a hard time breathing. Him and his mom attributed those symptoms to wearing a mask all day at school and his asthma acting up. Branden moved to virtual learning after a couple weeks at school. Tiffanie, Branden's mom, called the doctor weekly describing how Branden was NOT getting better while using strong steroid, antibiotics, and inhalers for 4 weeks. Something was not right!
THE BIG DAY!!
Finally, the doctor ordered an X-ray. Within an hour, the doctor said to go to the E.R. Five hours later, Branden and his mom were told it was cancer and they flew on a plane to Grand Rapids, MI.
Branden was diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma on November 9, 2020.
Branden had a mass near his lung and heart for a month or two prior to discovering it.
NOW WHAT?!?!
While in Grand Rapids, MI. the doctors drained two liters of fluid from around Branden's lung. Branden was breathing with only one lung!
Fortunately, Branden did NOT need surgery to remove the mass. Rather, Branden took a pill for 28 days to diminish the mass (13 of the same pill EACH day...7 in the morning and 6 at night) Sadly, the side effects of the pill were awful!
Some of the procedures Branden endured over the past couple months include blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, and protein infusions, in addition to taking other drugs to treat the cancer.
Branden and his mom travel to Grand Rapid, MI. (about 810 miles round trip) weekly for treatment. Branden's weekly treatments will last for 6-8 months. After that, his treatments will be every 10 days and eventually once a month.
Not only does Branden receive weekly treatments in Grand Rapids, MI., Tiffanie cannot work because of the amount of travel they have to do in addition to taking care of Branden at home.
Although Branden and TIffanie utilize the Ronald McDonald House when it is available, there are times when they have to pay for a hotel for several days at a time in addition to travel costs.
As we all know, bills do NOT stop coming!
Please support Branden while he fights to survive cancer!
THE BIG DAY!!
Finally, the doctor ordered an X-ray. Within an hour, the doctor said to go to the E.R. Five hours later, Branden and his mom were told it was cancer and they flew on a plane to Grand Rapids, MI.
Branden was diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma on November 9, 2020.
Branden had a mass near his lung and heart for a month or two prior to discovering it.
NOW WHAT?!?!
While in Grand Rapids, MI. the doctors drained two liters of fluid from around Branden's lung. Branden was breathing with only one lung!
Fortunately, Branden did NOT need surgery to remove the mass. Rather, Branden took a pill for 28 days to diminish the mass (13 of the same pill EACH day...7 in the morning and 6 at night) Sadly, the side effects of the pill were awful!
Some of the procedures Branden endured over the past couple months include blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, and protein infusions, in addition to taking other drugs to treat the cancer.
Branden and his mom travel to Grand Rapid, MI. (about 810 miles round trip) weekly for treatment. Branden's weekly treatments will last for 6-8 months. After that, his treatments will be every 10 days and eventually once a month.
Not only does Branden receive weekly treatments in Grand Rapids, MI., Tiffanie cannot work because of the amount of travel they have to do in addition to taking care of Branden at home.
Although Branden and TIffanie utilize the Ronald McDonald House when it is available, there are times when they have to pay for a hotel for several days at a time in addition to travel costs.
As we all know, bills do NOT stop coming!
Please support Branden while he fights to survive cancer!
Organizer
Autumn Bates
Organizer
Ishpeming, MI
