All funds will help with medical expenses and treatments, travel costs, meals, loss of wages, and other needs as they arise. We appreciate all the love, support, and prayers you all have provided for Athan and the Armstrong family during this time.

 

Athan was diagnosed with Cushing's a few months ago. During this testing period they found a tumor on his pituitary gland. Cushing's is so rare in children, they do not have a lot of studies in kids. On the bright side, the pituitary doctor at OHSU, where Athan is being treated, is the top in the nation and has sought interest in him. Athan’s neurosurgeon called him a unicorn because there is only one to three 13 year old boys possibly in the world with this diagnosis each year.

 

Monday, 11/15, 10am, Update: They wheeled him back about 15 min ago.

 

Monday, 11/15, 2pm, Update: He is done and it went well. We just talked to the surgeon and the ENT. We should be back with him soon.

 

Monday, 11/15, 9pm, Update: His pain is managed and he is pretty medicated right now. He is very tired and they were having trouble with his BP. They put him on a drip for his BP and that helped a lot. He is sleeping. He has had some nausea and he did throw up some. It was blood, so that kind of freaked me out, but it was caused from his drip from his nose, which makes sense. He is resting nicely and in excellent hands

 

Tuesday, 11/16, 8am, Update: He is much more alert and chatty this morning which is good. He didn’t sleep at all last night. He is very stuffy and his BP has been high. They have to watch all his hormones and it requires a pretty large team. There is a chance they will move him to the floor today. We are waiting to hear from Neurosurgery.

 

Wednesday, 11/17, 10:30am Update: His cortisol levels have not dropped so that means they did not get it all. He is going back in for an MRI, CV test and prep for another surgery.

 

Wednesday, 11/17, 3pm, Update: They are going in and looking at his left side of the pituitary. They are trying not to disturb too much of his gland as this can cause a lot of endocrine problems. If they find nothing, medicine is likely. Please please pray that something is found on his pituitary that is in another location. He will be treated and keep his symptoms under control. We want clinical cure not medicine control. However we will take what gets him better.

 

Wednesday, 11/17, 7pm, Update: Met with the Anesthesiologist and Neurosurgeon just now! They are heading back very soon.

 

Wednesday, 11/17, 11pm Update: Just spoke to the surgeon and ENT and they found 2-3 more tumors. They were on the side, back and all around. They are confident they got it. He will be here for a while. But they found a lot more. Know that this particular surgery is very complex and was more exploratory because the Neurosurgeon and ENT go in with cameras and work in a very small area.

 

Friday, 11/19, AM, Update: Very pleased with results. He is most likely getting out of ICU today. They were very impressed with how he is doing. They were very concerned they disrupted the pituitary, but he is looking great. This is good news!

 

Saturday, 11/20, AM, Update: Sorry there has not been much happening to update on. He has still been in ICU due to a blood pressure medication give through IV and has to be monitored in ICU. Good news is the new BP meds are holding him well and they have removed that medication. He was also in DI, due to his second surgery disrupted some pituitary function. Our prayer is his body will adjust this on its own, but right now too early to tell. However, there is a medication for this. He is getting his cath removed and goal is getting out of ICU today.

Sunday, 11/21, AM, Update: Doctors have been working on getting meds adjusted and today has been a good day! The hope and prayers are that Athan and family will be home by Wednesday to enjoy Thanksgiving  and have a moment of normalcy since this journey has become.