Wyatt's Brain Tumor Treatment Fund

Sometimes life shakes you up to make you stronger. This has happened a few times in my life, but this time was the most difficult. On March 22nd my son, Wyatt Kessler, had an MRI. Doctors discovered a large brain tumor in his cerebellum. At the time, we had no idea if it was malignant or benign, but our world crumbled. Wyatt had been having headaches infrequently since November of last year. We had taken him to the doctor a few times and we were told to use Tylenol to relieve headaches. In January, the headaches started happening more frequently and reached a peak in occurring every day multiple times a day in February.  We got to a neurologist in early March where we were told it was most likely just migraines, but they wanted to do an MRI just to eliminate other options. That led us to the MRI on March 22nd. Wyatt had an allergic reaction to the MRI contrast during the MRI and woke up in the MRI machine at Duke Hospital. We were then transferred to the ER where a few minutes later doctors told us Wyatt had a brain tumor. We had a consultation with a neurosurgeon within an hour and his brain surgery was scheduled for the very next morning. This left us little time to mentally or emotionally prepare for the surgery. Wyatt's brain surgery occurred around 10am March 23rd and was successful. We discovered the tumor was a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, which is a very slow growing tumor that Wyatt had most likely had since birth. A CT scan was done a few days later to verify that all of the tumor had been removed. There was supposed to be an MRI of the brain and spine to verify that there were no tumors on the spine as well. Due to Wyatt's previous allergic reaction, they could not use the same MRI contrast. Duke Hospital did not carry the alternative contrast that would be safe for him to use.  For this reason, we had to postpone this additional MRI for late May 2019. Immediately after surgery, Wyatt could not move well. There was a risk he might lose his ability to walk or talk with the surgery. We worked with physical and recreational therapy to build his muscles back up. We left the hospital on March 26th with Wyatt still not walking or able to move his neck well but talking well! He could sit up and hold his head up. We continued to work on his therapy at home every day playing with Legos and hot wheels to promote movement. Finally, on March 28th he took his first assisted steps and they by March 29th he was trying to run. It was a miracle! Wyatt's birthday was March 30th and he turned 6! Since then, Wyatt has regained the use of his body very close to pre-surgery. His neck is still not 100% with movement but we are still working to help his movement. We are so glad to be through the brain surgery but are still worried about the MRI at the end of the month. Tumors on his spine are a possibility and we are praying that there will be nothing there. I will keep you all updated as soon as I know more information. The MRI is scheduled for May 29th. We have applied for every kind of financial aid available, both through the hospital as well as Medicaid. We do not qualify for any help and these medical bills are a major hit for a family that is living paycheck to paycheck. Anything you can spare would help tremendously. Anything raised here will go to current medical bills that Duke Hospital expects payed back within 36 months because it is a private hospital. Additionally, it will go towards Wyatt's future MRI at the end of the month and any treatment he may need after. Please send thoughts, love and prayers in our direction. I have added some pictures of Wyatt’s MRI and surgery incision updates. The large dark gray mass on the lower right of the picture was the tumor. Thank you! -Nicole Miller