Team Gage's Medical Fund
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Gage is an amazing, caring, friendly, and active 9-year-old boy who loves playing sports, mountain biking, and being around his family and friends. He and his family are going through an extremely challenging time and we hope you will join us in supporting them.
In 2015, Gage began to experience health concerns, including fatigue, loss of appetite, and nausea. Despite these issues, he persevered and remained active on his premier soccer team, an indoor soccer team, and a basketball team, playing games all the way into December.
Throughout December, his symptoms steadily increased and the nausea and vomiting became a regular occurrence. His pediatrician put him through a multitude of tests to rule out various ailments. During the week leading up to Christmas, his energy dropped dramatically and he began to experience issues with his vision. His family and pediatric team decided the next step would be a diagnostic MRI, which took place on Christmas Eve. In the afternoon on Christmas Eve, the Wedins received the unimaginable news that there was a large mass on Gage's brain stem: a large tumor at the base of his brain, and several smaller tumors down his spine.
He was diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma (a type of brain tumor) and hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain) due to blockage from the large brain stem tumor. He was admitted to Seattle Children’s Hospital and immediately underwent surgery on Christmas morning. Although a majority of the brain stem tumor was removed, it could not be eradicated entirely. After surgery, Gage went through rehab in the hospital and had to relearn how to walk, put on his socks, and even feed himself again. Making quick progress, he was able to go home to finish recovery and rehab. Unfortunately, on January 15th Gage had to return to the hospital for a second surgery called an ETV (Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy) in order to help with the Hydrocephalus and decrease the pressure buildup in his brain’s ventricles. His recovery from both surgeries went remarkably well and he never lost his sense of humor or his contagious smile. Gage continues to go through physical therapy in order to get his body to move like it used to before the tumor.
His family continues to do everything possible to jump-start his body's immune defenses with alternative medicines, supplements, therapy, and dietary changes. Despite these efforts, recent MRIs show continued slow tumor growth. Pressure from the tumor causes consistent neurological issues for Gage, including the return of his fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, and now spinal and tailbone pain. He also suffers effects from the smaller tumors along his spine that are too numerous and/or dangerous to surgically remove at this time.
He and his family are now faced with difficult decisions regarding surgery, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy.
Through it all, Gage remains a happy, regular kid. A kid working hard to live his life. His family continues to fight alongside him. The Wedins' greatest hope is that this ordeal will soon be a memory of a tough battle won. But for now, they can benefit greatly from our help.
Friends of the Wedins have worked together to develop this GoFundMe page as a way to raise awareness and help this great family. Gage's treatments are extremely expensive, and only a small percentage of the cost is covered by insurance. Please help us support Gage and his family with their financial burden as they continue the fight of their lives.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
In 2015, Gage began to experience health concerns, including fatigue, loss of appetite, and nausea. Despite these issues, he persevered and remained active on his premier soccer team, an indoor soccer team, and a basketball team, playing games all the way into December.
Throughout December, his symptoms steadily increased and the nausea and vomiting became a regular occurrence. His pediatrician put him through a multitude of tests to rule out various ailments. During the week leading up to Christmas, his energy dropped dramatically and he began to experience issues with his vision. His family and pediatric team decided the next step would be a diagnostic MRI, which took place on Christmas Eve. In the afternoon on Christmas Eve, the Wedins received the unimaginable news that there was a large mass on Gage's brain stem: a large tumor at the base of his brain, and several smaller tumors down his spine.
He was diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma (a type of brain tumor) and hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain) due to blockage from the large brain stem tumor. He was admitted to Seattle Children’s Hospital and immediately underwent surgery on Christmas morning. Although a majority of the brain stem tumor was removed, it could not be eradicated entirely. After surgery, Gage went through rehab in the hospital and had to relearn how to walk, put on his socks, and even feed himself again. Making quick progress, he was able to go home to finish recovery and rehab. Unfortunately, on January 15th Gage had to return to the hospital for a second surgery called an ETV (Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy) in order to help with the Hydrocephalus and decrease the pressure buildup in his brain’s ventricles. His recovery from both surgeries went remarkably well and he never lost his sense of humor or his contagious smile. Gage continues to go through physical therapy in order to get his body to move like it used to before the tumor.
His family continues to do everything possible to jump-start his body's immune defenses with alternative medicines, supplements, therapy, and dietary changes. Despite these efforts, recent MRIs show continued slow tumor growth. Pressure from the tumor causes consistent neurological issues for Gage, including the return of his fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, and now spinal and tailbone pain. He also suffers effects from the smaller tumors along his spine that are too numerous and/or dangerous to surgically remove at this time.
He and his family are now faced with difficult decisions regarding surgery, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy.
Through it all, Gage remains a happy, regular kid. A kid working hard to live his life. His family continues to fight alongside him. The Wedins' greatest hope is that this ordeal will soon be a memory of a tough battle won. But for now, they can benefit greatly from our help.
Friends of the Wedins have worked together to develop this GoFundMe page as a way to raise awareness and help this great family. Gage's treatments are extremely expensive, and only a small percentage of the cost is covered by insurance. Please help us support Gage and his family with their financial burden as they continue the fight of their lives.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Organizer
David R Wedin
Organizer
Bothell, WA
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