Christopher and Lucas were placed with me on June 30, 2021, I was their first fourth foster home in 3 months. When I met Christopher, he weighed 28 pounds and was unable to walk. Christopher had his first scan in August 2021 where a 5-inch tumor was found growing in his spinal cavity. His initial surgery took place on September 1, 2021 and was a 15-hour procedure to remove the tumor, re-attach the nerves and sew up his back bone. Following his surgery, we spent 4 weeks in the hospital for rehabilitation and dealt with an infection that caused another surgery prior to him being released back home with a PICC line for 3 weeks. Christopher had routine scans every quarter for the first 12 months following his procedure and then went to yearly scans in 2022 and 2023. At the annual scan in October 2023, it was identified that Christopher had a regrowth of the tumor. Christopher underwent a second surgery to remove the regrowth on December 7, 2023. Christopher had another year of quarterly scans with no growth and is now back on the annual scan. His next scan will take place in January 2026.
In March of 2024 I noticed that Christopher's left ankle was much larger in size than his right ankle. A visit to the orthopedic office in Maysville, MRI completed and referral to Cincinnati Children's Orthopedic clinic to see the orthopedic oncologist to review the tumor. A needle biopsy was done in July 2024 and it was determined that the tumor in his left ankle was benign and we have annual visits to review the tumor for any changes.
In March of 2025 Christopher fractured his left tib/fib and care was completed by Cincinnati Children's. He was non weightbearing from March 2025 through May 2025. Christopher fractured his left ankle in July 2025 and during the follow up it was determined that his bone in his left leg and ankle was much larger than his right side. An MRI was completed at Cincinnati Children's on August 26th where a new growth has been identified, we are just waiting on the treatment plan for this growth.
The family went to get our annual eye exams on Saturday, August 9th at Lens Crafters in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. During the eye exam with Lucas the optometrist identified an issue as Lucas was unable to read numbers, colors or numbers. The retina scan showed that Lucas's blood vessels were obscured and the optical nerve couldn't be identified. Robert and I took Lucas to the ER at Cincinnati Children's that afternoon, after securing care for our other three children, and found out that Lucas had a tumor in his brain. That night Lucas was taken to the OR to have an EVD placed to start draining the excess fluid from his brain. That following Monday, August 11th, a procedure was done to attempt to go in to cut off the blood supply to the tumor. That procedure was not successful as they were not able to identify a blood supply to the tumor. A third procedure was done on Thursday, August 14th, to remove the tumor from Lucas's brain stem. Initial follow up scans show that the majority of the tumor has been removed. The initial size of the tumor was 4.2 cm. Lucas had yet another procedure on Monday, August 25th to create a hole in his third ventricle (EVT) to help release the pressure from his drain. That procedure was also unsuccessful and we have been waiting for his red blood cell count to drop below 300 in his CSF so a shunt can be placed. Lucas had the first lab results meeting that measure this past Sunday, August 31st and should hopefully have the shunt placed this week and should be discharged 48 hours following the procedure.
Lucas has been very positive during this entire situation and has taken on board games and card games to pass the time while we are waiting in the hospital. My mom has been extremely helpful in caring for Lucas as we both spend 48 hours at the hospital so I'm able to be home with my other kiddo's since school started.
Lucas received a shunt on 9/4/25 to help with pressure on the brain.
Robert and I appreciate everyone's prayers as we know this is the reason why Lucas has continued to steadily improve with minimal setbacks.
Again, thank you for everything you have done for us during this difficult time.
Thank you,
Sarah
