Rocky's Journey: Brain Tumor

Hi everyone. I'm Erin, and I'd like to introduce you to my 14-year-old nephew Rocky, aka ROCKSTAR (pictured). He is by far one of the strongest kids I know.

A few weeks ago at a routine eye exam, the optometrist pulled my brother Chris aside and said, "You need to get him to Children's Hospital immediately. He has a swollen optical nerve; it's not his eyes, it's his brain!" So he rushed Rocky to Children's in Springdale, Arkansas. Once they spoke with doctors, the only option was to get Rocky to Children's in Little Rock as fast as possible. Upon arrival, a team of doctors started the process. After exams, scans, and lots of blood work, the diagnosis: A BRAIN TUMOR! Positioned on the left side of his brain above his cerebellum. The tumor is keeping his spinal fluid from circulating, causing swelling in his brain. Within 8 hours, Rocky was in surgery to relieve the pressure and get his spinal fluid circulating. The neurologist decided it was best to transfer my nephew to UAMS for treatment options and they sent him home, to wait for his appointment Today that appointment came, and the only treatment is to remove it surgically. He was diagnosed with a cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor, which is a growth that develops in the area of the brain between the brain stem and the lower brain.

Some of the risks include left-side facial paralysis and a likelihood that he will be deaf in his left ear. This is due to the tumor being intertwined with his nerves and spinal cord.

This is a kid who has already beaten the odds once! One month before his second birthday he was diagnosed with leukemia and spent many months fighting for his life in the very same hospital he will have Brain surgery in.

My baby brother Chris is the sole provider for his family, but being away from his son during surgery and the weeks to come following are out of the question. My brother has played the role of mom and dad for many years. Although He now has a wonderful spouse, my nephew understandably wants his dad there every step of the way.

I'm reaching out to ask the community to first and foremost please lift our family up in prayer; prayer is our most powerful asset.

I am also asking for donations to help ease the financial burden of travel, bills, and the unexpected! Anything helps and would truly mean more than you know.

So please pray, lift up Rocky and our family in the light of the Lord.

Donate if you can and share his story.

My brother is the type of person to give a stranger the shirt off his back without hesitation if he knew it'd help. He would never expect anything in return. He's always the one who shows up, who's there without regard for what he's getting in return.

Thank you. Much love and appreciation for your time and prayers

Surgery is scheduled for January 22.

We won't find out if the tumor contains any cancer cells or is genetic until it is removed and sent off for testing.