Sweet Devin's Long Road to Recovery
Donation protected
UPDATE:
October 2018:
As a family we write...
Little D truly needs a miracle as his cancer has returned in the same spot of his brain stem where it was first removed back in February. It is heartbreaking to write the cancerous tumor is not only in his brain stem but has spread to many parts of the back of his brain and has metastasized to several parts of his spine. The tumors are inoperable as there are multiple areas on his brain and spine. Radiation isn’t an option, it’s too soon from his last treatments in the spring. He is waiting for calls to be admitted into studies from Cincinnati Children’s or St. Jude’s in Tennessee. As his mom and grandparents prepare for a long hard battle to save D. We pray for every ounce of a miracle-this family will have to endure large expenses, especially associated with travel. Devin’s mom has been off work since January while caring for her son. His grandma spent 5 months off of work to help with the very demanding care only to be back as a teacher for the past month with another possible adjustment in her work schedule. There are a lot of unknowns at this time but we DO know we are all relying on our faith that God will get us through this heartbreaking chapter. The family appreciates ANY amount you can give to help with future hospital, study, travel and living expenses. Any donations are going solely to D’s treatments and expenses to seek such treatments. Being off of work not only has hurt the family financially with the day to day expenses but preparing for this next round of hospital visits is just overwhelming. We will continue to keep you updated and we are forever thankful for your prayers, help and loving thoughts.
February 2018:
Please help this beautiful son, brother, cousin and nephew.. Sweet little Devin Charles Kirtley is an 11 month old who is truly the happiest baby ever. He’s so full of life and love but everything in his life has forever changed this past week...
After dealing with a cold, croup, eye infection, and numerous colds around Thanksgiving Little D could not get better and stay better. His mom took him to numerous doctor appointments, but Little D would never fully recover from being sick. On January 3 he started vomiting. The vomiting continued for weeks and after several visits to his doctor, Little D's mom knew something wasn't right he was exhausted and just not himself. She made another doctor appointment that changed everything... This past Tuesday, January 30th, Alicia took him to his pediatrician to hopefully find answers and get the referrals needed to see some specialists. He vomited while being examined at the doctor's office (sadly this had become routine) it was obvious to the doctors he was dehydrated and very sick. The pediatrician’s office called 911 and they rushed him to Akron Children's Hospital in Boardman. A CT scan was done there and showed a large mass in his brain. They rushed him to Akron Children's Hospital's Main Campus and he underwent an emergency surgery to relieve the pressure in his brain.
Since then it's been a whirlwind of emotions as he under went an 8 HOUR major brain surgery on Thursday with miraculous results from the amazing surgeons and teams of Akron Children's Hospital and also from the love and prayers from everyone! Even with a great surgery-there are still many risks that can change every hour. He suffered a seizure the afternoon after surgery and was placed on a ventilator. He has since come off the ventilator and showing improvements!
We know things will continue to change and the unknown is very hard. We will continue to keep our faith and please know that the entire family is so so grateful for the many prayers that have touched our sweet boy. The many Doctors and teams have continued to prepare us for a very very long road ahead of recovery. Devins mom, Alicia, will be taking quite a bit of time off from work, unpaid and it will take an extreme toll on them financially. They will be at the hospital for many months to come with future therapy and rehabilitation for sweet Little D. Little D’s grandma Lisa and his Papa Rich along with many many many families members have been at the hospital day in and day out to help support this little guy. We’re truly thankful for so much love and support.
We will continue to update as much as we can with medical updates, pictures and more news as he continues to get stronger. If you can donate any amount-it would be greatly appreciated. We know the future is uncertain but we have faith in God that he will get us through anything. We appreciate any help you have to offer so the family can focus on their sweet baby's recovery.
Love,
Little D's Family
October 2018:
As a family we write...
Little D truly needs a miracle as his cancer has returned in the same spot of his brain stem where it was first removed back in February. It is heartbreaking to write the cancerous tumor is not only in his brain stem but has spread to many parts of the back of his brain and has metastasized to several parts of his spine. The tumors are inoperable as there are multiple areas on his brain and spine. Radiation isn’t an option, it’s too soon from his last treatments in the spring. He is waiting for calls to be admitted into studies from Cincinnati Children’s or St. Jude’s in Tennessee. As his mom and grandparents prepare for a long hard battle to save D. We pray for every ounce of a miracle-this family will have to endure large expenses, especially associated with travel. Devin’s mom has been off work since January while caring for her son. His grandma spent 5 months off of work to help with the very demanding care only to be back as a teacher for the past month with another possible adjustment in her work schedule. There are a lot of unknowns at this time but we DO know we are all relying on our faith that God will get us through this heartbreaking chapter. The family appreciates ANY amount you can give to help with future hospital, study, travel and living expenses. Any donations are going solely to D’s treatments and expenses to seek such treatments. Being off of work not only has hurt the family financially with the day to day expenses but preparing for this next round of hospital visits is just overwhelming. We will continue to keep you updated and we are forever thankful for your prayers, help and loving thoughts.
February 2018:
Please help this beautiful son, brother, cousin and nephew.. Sweet little Devin Charles Kirtley is an 11 month old who is truly the happiest baby ever. He’s so full of life and love but everything in his life has forever changed this past week...
After dealing with a cold, croup, eye infection, and numerous colds around Thanksgiving Little D could not get better and stay better. His mom took him to numerous doctor appointments, but Little D would never fully recover from being sick. On January 3 he started vomiting. The vomiting continued for weeks and after several visits to his doctor, Little D's mom knew something wasn't right he was exhausted and just not himself. She made another doctor appointment that changed everything... This past Tuesday, January 30th, Alicia took him to his pediatrician to hopefully find answers and get the referrals needed to see some specialists. He vomited while being examined at the doctor's office (sadly this had become routine) it was obvious to the doctors he was dehydrated and very sick. The pediatrician’s office called 911 and they rushed him to Akron Children's Hospital in Boardman. A CT scan was done there and showed a large mass in his brain. They rushed him to Akron Children's Hospital's Main Campus and he underwent an emergency surgery to relieve the pressure in his brain.
Since then it's been a whirlwind of emotions as he under went an 8 HOUR major brain surgery on Thursday with miraculous results from the amazing surgeons and teams of Akron Children's Hospital and also from the love and prayers from everyone! Even with a great surgery-there are still many risks that can change every hour. He suffered a seizure the afternoon after surgery and was placed on a ventilator. He has since come off the ventilator and showing improvements!
We know things will continue to change and the unknown is very hard. We will continue to keep our faith and please know that the entire family is so so grateful for the many prayers that have touched our sweet boy. The many Doctors and teams have continued to prepare us for a very very long road ahead of recovery. Devins mom, Alicia, will be taking quite a bit of time off from work, unpaid and it will take an extreme toll on them financially. They will be at the hospital for many months to come with future therapy and rehabilitation for sweet Little D. Little D’s grandma Lisa and his Papa Rich along with many many many families members have been at the hospital day in and day out to help support this little guy. We’re truly thankful for so much love and support.
We will continue to update as much as we can with medical updates, pictures and more news as he continues to get stronger. If you can donate any amount-it would be greatly appreciated. We know the future is uncertain but we have faith in God that he will get us through anything. We appreciate any help you have to offer so the family can focus on their sweet baby's recovery.
Love,
Little D's Family
Organizer
Rich Lawton
Organizer
Canfield, OH
