Talin’s Tribe & Financial Help

Hello friends, family, coworkers I am Emily Beehn, community member and close neighbor to Grace Thomas & Talin.

Talin, a 9 year old boy, full of life, energy, love, kindness and talent. Talin fell ill on October 25th when he tested positive for strep and fevers were 103+. Talin had chest xrays to rule out pneumonia and ultrasound to rule out ruptured spleen, which came back negative. Talin was severely dehydrated and had soaring numbers for infection. Talin was admitted to St Francis Childrens Hospital of Illinois where Talin quickly began getting care. Infectious disease, hematologists, rheumatologist, cardiologist all began running many tests to figure out what was happening to Talin and his little body. Talin had a chest xray done Nov 3 which resulted in fluid on his lungs, fluid surrounding his heart, tissue damage throughout his chest cavity and possible infection on his sternum bone. Hematologists have been working to figure out if Talin has a rare blood condition known as HLH, Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Talin has had many many tests done (lumbar puncture, sedated MRI, CT, xrays, bloodwork, PICC line placed, and most recently a PET scan). Talin’s PET scan will show hyper metabolic activity which indicates “hot spots” (infection, cancer, inflammation, etc). Talin had his PET scan on Nov 12. Pediatric surgeons sat with Grace, mom to Talin, to go over results. Talin’s PET scan showed several lymph nodes that “glowed.” Talins rare unique case has brought in the top HLH specialist in the country, Dr. Michael Jordan from Cincinnati Childrens Hospital.

Talin will undergo surgery with general anesthesia tomorrow Nov 14 to biopsy a lymph node from his neck to determine infection, malignancy and/or inflammation, all a possibility at this point.

Grace, Talin’s mom, is out on FMLA, a nurse at VA clinic in Bloomington. Although her job is secured she is having to go unpaid leaving her with MANY financial burdens (tests, prcedures, house bills, food, travel expenses). Being in Grace’s shoes a little over a year ago with my own child, she deserves to not have to worry and struggle with financial burdens and keep all her focus and love on Talin. So i am hoping we can pull together as a community and friends/family and loved ones and surround Talin with endless amounts of prayers, comfort and healing & Grace with financial support to help with bills, food and any gas money for transportation. Thank you and God Bless you all with the help your providing this family. Please feel free to share.