Sawyer Jahnke

Hi, my name is Rachel Arendt and my sweet 4-year-old nephew Sawyer has been on quite a journey. On December 15th, Sawyer was born 6-weeks early with birth complications. Then two years ago, he began experiencing more severe health issues. After undergoing many tests and visits to the hospital, they were given many diagnoses, including a rare form of brain cancer, a tumor called a craniopharyngioma.

Sawyer and his family were supposed to be in Disney World this spring, but instead, he has had to undergo two brain surgeries in Milwaukee at the Children's Hospital to try to help treat his brain tumor by decompressing the cyst portion by extracting the fluid, the first surgery was unsuccessful and the second was successful. After these surgeries Sawyer needed radiation. After much research regarding his diagnosis, they felt due to his age a newer kind of radiation called proton therapy was his best option. On Tuesday, April 5th, Sawyer boarded a plane to St. Judes in Memphis with his mother Angie Waranka, and his grandmother Percy Waranka.

During the initial testings they did at St. Judes, they found Sawyer's tumor had grown back to almost the same size it originally had been. On Thursday, April 17th, Sawyer had brain surgery at St. Jude's where they were able to drain most of the fluid out of the tumor and place a catheter in his brain with a reservoir to be able to access the tumor to aspirate the fluid as needed. He spent two days in the ICU at St. Jude's and then was released to the neurology wing. Right now they are taking it day by day.

Sawyer's life will consist of lifelong treatments for his brain tumor. This tumor affects his pituitary gland which is affecting all his hormones, and will for the rest of his life. He is currently on thyroid hormones, and medication for diabetes insipidus, and he will also need daily growth hormone injections once he is cleared to get them after radiation and seeing how he does for the next 6 months. They believe after radiation his hormone issues will get worse as well. Something that will be monitored regularly. We are still unsure how long he will be at St. Jude's and when he will begin his proton therapy radiation. Sawyer is such a smart young boy with big beautiful eyes. He has the biggest heart and the silliest sense of humor! He continues to amaze us with his smiles, even on the hard days.

In addition to caring for and supporting Sawyer in Memphis at St. Jude's, Angie also has two other children in Milwaukee along with a mortgage and other obligations. Angie is also trying to manage her job and work remotely as much as she can. While she is in Memphis, her daughter Kaylee is staying at Angie's house and caring for Sawyer's 6-year-old brother Westin and their pets.

Angie is one of the strongest and most humble human beings that I have ever met. She truly views each day as a gift and puts her heart and soul into raising her kids and being the best that she can be no matter how tired or stressed. I know that there is a lot out of our control right now, but my hope is that we can relieve some of the financial stress so that she can focus more on Sawyer, her family, and her own well-being.