It hasn't been an easy road for Brett.  At just 11, he was diagnosed with a golf ball sized brain tumor in the middle of his brain, the thalamus.  It was unoperable at that time.  We were given a standard of care and the worst prognosis imaginable.  That is all they could offer to us.  And a hope and a prayer that he would be healed.   Standard of care included 7 weeks of daily proton radiation along with chemotherapy.  Then a year of chemotherapy that made Brett very sick a week a month.  He graduated from this and seemed to be doing better then expected.  The tumor did shrink with treatment.  However in October 2015, it began growing again.  Thanks to new research, he was able to do a clinical trial at St. Louis Childrens Hospital for a new laser MRI .surgery ablation for inoperable tumors.  He was one of the first kids to get this surgery.  He also was able to have a clinical trial for the chemotherapy which was through his port and for six weeks.  The hypothesis is the blood brain barrier is open for 4 to six weeks after surgery.  The chemo goes directly to this area.  He did well with chemo and surgery.  However, he lost use of his right arm and hand, very weak, he could no longer write.  In March of 2016 we found out the tumor grew in an area that was too risky for the laser surgery.  We made the decision to do the laser again although we were told he would not be able to walk after.  He would be certainly paralyzed.  This was our only option though as his tumor is aggressive.  He did well with surgery and he did have weakness on his right side, leg and arm.  HOWEVER< he could walk.  He even participated in the play a few weeks after surgery.  He is such an amazing kid.  He has a leg brace AFO and still has weakness on his right side.  He cannot write with his right, but is making due with his left.  The most miraculous part is  the tumor is stable (if it is even still there).  We are enjoying this time and are looking forward to high school next year.  YOUR DONATION helps make this possible!  ALL FUNDS RAISED GO TO BRAIN TUMOR RESEARCH, HIGH GRADE GLIOMA!  There are not many options for these kids and the national budget gives only 4% to childhood cancer research.  There are over 160 kinds of childhood cancer!  We need help!

https://www.stbaldricks.org/hero-funds/thumbsup/