The family of Richard Jr.

While 8 months pregnant with Richard Jr, our family was made aware of a 3cm mass located on his liver during an ultrasound appointment at Maternal Fetal Medicine.

Less than 2 weeks before his arrival we were referred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH to have a Fetal MRI to get a better idea of what this spot could be & to determine if there where any other spots on his body or brain. Thankfully, after the Fetal MRI procedure was done doctors confirmed that there where no other spots on Richard Jr’s body or brain. We had weekly ultrasound sound appointments scheduled thereafter until delivery of our precious baby boy to ensure his quality of health.

After our Fetal MRI Doctors believed Richard Jr had a benign tumor called Hermartoma mass on his liver but still would be following up with in Columbus after birth so he could be officially diagnosed.

Two days after delivering Richard Jr in Toledo on August 15th, 2023 @ 3:27AM he was transfer to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in a mobile ICU unit that came from Columbus for him.

There is a team of 19 Doctors working together on his rare medical condition.

Today Richard Jr was put under anesthesia to have a MRI performed just after being 3 days old. Unfortunately, doctors are unable to determine what exact type of mass is on his liver. They believe it’s either a benign tumor called hamartoma or hepatoblastomas. Hepatoblastoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver. It is the most common type of childhood liver cancer and usually affects children younger than 3 years of age.

The next steps to determining what Richard Jr has is to have a biopsy performed sometime this week.

We are asking for help with finances from family & friends. I am currently on maternity leave. We went from having 2 incomes now only down to one. Traveling & making accommodations for housing in Columbus has taken a toll on us. This is the second time this month we have had to make a trip and stay overnight. This time it has become even more costly due to short notice & longevity of the situation & not being able to get into the Ronald McDonald house immediately. On top of keeping up with home expenses & Richard (Dad) having to take off work as well.

Richard is going to be commuting back-and-forth from Toledo to Columbus during these weeks so we still have income while I stay down here full-time in the Ronald McDonlad house until our baby is discharged.

Please keep our family in your prayers. Especially our son Richard Jr.