Help Tucker Kick Cancers Butt!
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The money for this fundraiser is going to help the family with the cost of gas, food, parking and essential items that they need while they are 3+ hours away from their home getting the neccisary medical treatment for their child. It will also help them when they have to travel to FL for radiation for him.
Tucker was born to Tyler and Katrina in Feb 2012. They became pregnant again and welcomed Kyleigh in Jan 2013; no she wasn't scheduled to be born 11 months after her brother - but life has it's way. Kyleigh was born just about 3 months premature. As you can imagine this provided obstacles for her and the family. In Dec 2013 - Kyleigh under went surgery for hydrocephalus with a shunt set in place - this would not be the end to her medical hurdles. During her two month check-up the neurosurgeon took a quick look at Tucker and mentioned having him looked at by his Physician. Thankfully this was right before his 2 year check-up; so Mom asked the Doctor during this appointment and she instructed that he was fine. Not saying this is the first time Navy Doctors have been wrong - it is extremely frustrating that more attention wasn't spent on investigating the neurosurgeons suggestion.
A few weeks later Tucker started vomiting. When the term "infrequently" is used, it is loosely, because the vomiting was happening daily - infrequently in the morning, afternoon or evening. This happened for six weeks; he was prescribed antibiotics - and later diagnosed with GERDS. There was several visits to the Doctors and a couple of ER visits.
Until May 25, 2014 - Tucker started vomiting blood. Once arriving to the local ER - they discovered a tumor the size of a "fingernail" on his brain that was blocking a ventricle and causing fluid build up (what was originally anticipated as hydrocephalus). He was then life flighted to a North Carolina Children's Hospital. They originally planned an MRI to happen that evening but decided to wait until tomorrow with more staff on hand.
Monday, May 26 Tucker goes thru a detailed MRI and the doctors determine - tomorrow he was undergo surgery to remove the mass. The MRI did show that it did not spread down his spine.
Tuesday May 27- Surgery day. At appx 1100 Tucker is taken back for 5-8 hour surgery - due to the location of the tumor there was significant amount of risk. It was communicated that we should have a 70% accurate idea of the tumor being benign or malignant and 100% accurate answer in 5-7 days. The mass was causing hydrocephalus - something familiar in this unfamiliar environment. Around 650pm the 1.5cm "fingernail" size tumor turned into 2 golf balls side by side - 99.9% removed with a small portion left behind due to it's location on the brain stem. There was characteristics of both benign and malignant - 70% turned into 0% and waiting the lab results in 5-7days. All and all the surgery was great. Treatment plan will be determined after the results get back - follow up MRI to double check.
Wednesday May 28 - Tucker goes thru the MRI process again, it's clear - minus the portion left behind. Tucker gets moved to oncology unit - waiting for treatment options pending the results.
Thursday May 29 - Just another wait around and see what happens kind of day. Occupational and Physical Therapy were ordered. Tucker had little response and movement all day - stays pretty calm until he is moved or "messed" with. No hugs, no touching and no talking type of day. Just before 11pm - he takes some apple juice from a syringe! First food or drink by ingestion since Saturday.
Friday May 29 - Bandage removed. Tucker's battle scar is about 4inches long! (Chicks dig scars) First word - "COOKiE" and of course he shoved it all in his mouth followed by drinking from his sip cup!!
--Results come back-- Official diagnosis... rare form of cancer "EPENDYMOMA".
--Treatment plan-- radiation and possibly chemotherapy. Many future appointments to check on the portion of the tumor not removed.
Tyler is a U.S Marine stationed in North Carolina. Their family is located out of state and their Marine Corps family is on constant watch to help in any way possible.
Tucker was born to Tyler and Katrina in Feb 2012. They became pregnant again and welcomed Kyleigh in Jan 2013; no she wasn't scheduled to be born 11 months after her brother - but life has it's way. Kyleigh was born just about 3 months premature. As you can imagine this provided obstacles for her and the family. In Dec 2013 - Kyleigh under went surgery for hydrocephalus with a shunt set in place - this would not be the end to her medical hurdles. During her two month check-up the neurosurgeon took a quick look at Tucker and mentioned having him looked at by his Physician. Thankfully this was right before his 2 year check-up; so Mom asked the Doctor during this appointment and she instructed that he was fine. Not saying this is the first time Navy Doctors have been wrong - it is extremely frustrating that more attention wasn't spent on investigating the neurosurgeons suggestion.
A few weeks later Tucker started vomiting. When the term "infrequently" is used, it is loosely, because the vomiting was happening daily - infrequently in the morning, afternoon or evening. This happened for six weeks; he was prescribed antibiotics - and later diagnosed with GERDS. There was several visits to the Doctors and a couple of ER visits.
Until May 25, 2014 - Tucker started vomiting blood. Once arriving to the local ER - they discovered a tumor the size of a "fingernail" on his brain that was blocking a ventricle and causing fluid build up (what was originally anticipated as hydrocephalus). He was then life flighted to a North Carolina Children's Hospital. They originally planned an MRI to happen that evening but decided to wait until tomorrow with more staff on hand.
Monday, May 26 Tucker goes thru a detailed MRI and the doctors determine - tomorrow he was undergo surgery to remove the mass. The MRI did show that it did not spread down his spine.
Tuesday May 27- Surgery day. At appx 1100 Tucker is taken back for 5-8 hour surgery - due to the location of the tumor there was significant amount of risk. It was communicated that we should have a 70% accurate idea of the tumor being benign or malignant and 100% accurate answer in 5-7 days. The mass was causing hydrocephalus - something familiar in this unfamiliar environment. Around 650pm the 1.5cm "fingernail" size tumor turned into 2 golf balls side by side - 99.9% removed with a small portion left behind due to it's location on the brain stem. There was characteristics of both benign and malignant - 70% turned into 0% and waiting the lab results in 5-7days. All and all the surgery was great. Treatment plan will be determined after the results get back - follow up MRI to double check.
Wednesday May 28 - Tucker goes thru the MRI process again, it's clear - minus the portion left behind. Tucker gets moved to oncology unit - waiting for treatment options pending the results.
Thursday May 29 - Just another wait around and see what happens kind of day. Occupational and Physical Therapy were ordered. Tucker had little response and movement all day - stays pretty calm until he is moved or "messed" with. No hugs, no touching and no talking type of day. Just before 11pm - he takes some apple juice from a syringe! First food or drink by ingestion since Saturday.
Friday May 29 - Bandage removed. Tucker's battle scar is about 4inches long! (Chicks dig scars) First word - "COOKiE" and of course he shoved it all in his mouth followed by drinking from his sip cup!!
--Results come back-- Official diagnosis... rare form of cancer "EPENDYMOMA".
--Treatment plan-- radiation and possibly chemotherapy. Many future appointments to check on the portion of the tumor not removed.
Tyler is a U.S Marine stationed in North Carolina. Their family is located out of state and their Marine Corps family is on constant watch to help in any way possible.
Organizer
Brittany Ann DeForest
Organizer
