On December 7, 2021, our precious Mason was diagnosed with a facial tumor. It is very serious, as the tumor is located in his nasal and sinus cavity, cheek, and jaw, but it has now spread to his brain. It is a Juvenile Nasalpharyngial Angiofibroma tumor- a very rare and vascular tumor that is very dangerous to operate on because of the amount of blood loss that occurs. Mason’s primary ENT surgeon performs at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. All of Mason’s care and treatments are done there.

 

In February, Mason had two seven-hour surgeries to remove the tumor. Because of the severe bleeding of the tumor during his procedure, between both surgeries, he needed five units of blood replaced. Only about 25% of the tumor was able to be removed. The next planned surgery was supposed to be a very invasive craniotomy, which would be very high risk for Mason. The part of the tumor that has spread to the brain was deemed inoperable because of where it is located, so Mason’s team of doctors decided on a less invasive approach.

 

On Tuesday, April 5, Mason will begin to receive Proton Therapy Radiation from California Protons and Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, CA. The treatment will last 5-8 weeks, for 1-2 hours, five days a week, as doctors attempt to shrink the tumor in his brain and face.

 

Mason’s parents will need to stay down in San Diego during the week, doing their best to come home on the weekends to take care of their daughter and their home. The Ronald McDonald house is unavailable because there are 44 patients on the waiting list, which means Mason’s parents have to find lodging throughout the week for the next few months.

 

In addition to lodging, Mason’s parents will have to take time off work and have added costs for gas to and from treatment, driving back home (a six-hour round trip), as well as food and other expenses. These costs have already taken a toll on the family, as they have already spent three weeks in San Diego for Mason's previous surgeries in February.

 

While we are very hopeful for a positive outcome, our sweet Mason has already endured so much, including loss of feeling from the cheekbones down to his chin, painful sporadic nerve responses, Empty Nose Syndrome, and lots of recovery time due to all of the blood transfusions. He is strong, but this radiation will be long and exhausting.

 

This trial has not been easy on his parents emotionally or financially. As Mason’s aunt (and sister to Mason’s dad, Scott), I am reaching out to ask for any support you can give to help Mason and his family win this fight so they can have their precious, healthy boy back.

The beneficiary for this fundraiser is my sister-in-law, Mandi Heywood and my brother, Scott Heywood (Mason Heywood's Mother and father).
All funds will be transferred to Mandi Heywood and Scott Heywood and will be used to cover lodging, gas, food, and days required to miss work for the 5-8 weeks that Mason Heywood receives his treatments at The Rady Chidlren's Hospital in San Diego, CA.

Thank you so much for your support!