We’d like to introduce you to our newest warrior, Andrew. Andrew is a 15-year-old high-school freshman at Brookfield Central.
On May 22, 2010, Andrew was admitted to Elmbrook Memorial Hospital after suffering a debilitating headache. Initial tests showed a large mass at the base of his brain. He was immediately transported to Children’s Hospital for further tests. Doctors decided to operate the next morning to put in a shunt to remove pressure on the brain from fluid build-up. Following the initial surgery, an MRI test revealed additional tumors on his brain and spine. At that point, Dr. Lew made the decision to schedule surgery for the following Monday morning to remove the large mass at the base of Andrew’s brain. Andrew’s surgery was considered a big success. Dr. Lew was able to remove over 95% of the tumor after a 4 1/2 hour surgery.
Andrew had his last chemo treatment on Feb. 7, 2011. He had 9 clear MRI scans since. NINE.
On August 28,2013, he went for his tenth MRI. The oncologist found a tumor at the original site: the base of his neck and top of spine. Andrew has reoccuring medullablastoma.
The tumor he has on his brain stem is very small, however, it needed to be removed with an operation. The tumor seems to be partially embedded in the brain stem. The doctors don’t believe they can remove it all and need to error on the side of caution; they can not operate too close to the brain stem.
On September 19, 2013, Andrew had surgery to remove the tumors. He was a fierce warrior and came out of surgery beautifully. His doctors say they got 95+% of the tumor. Andrew is also participating in a study using photodynamic light therapy. This particular ‘light’ therapy has been used on Glioma patients with some mild success.
Andrew is currently recovering at home.
Please keep Andrew, his sister Paige, and his parents in your thoughts and in your hearts.
He still has a long road ahead of him, and we’ll be right there, supporting our warrior and his family.
