After months of dizziness, weeks of crippling headaches, and countless times being attributed only to a POTS diagnosis, our Luca was finally given an MRI. This has changed all of our lives, most of all Luca's, for the past three weeks.
The MRI revealed a tumor at the base of their brain. The tumor was blocking any possibility of fluid drainage causing pressure, dizziness, and headaches.
That same day the surgeons drilled a hole into Luca's skull and installed a drainage tube. Then came the waiting. After two weeks they were finally able to get into surgery and remove the tumor.
Now comes the hard work to rebuild strength and retrain the brain, as Luca's left side is very weak and difficult to control. There are also thoughts circulating concerning cancer, but we will face that battle should it come. Luca is so so tough.
In the past three weeks, Luca's family have faced a lot of financial strain. Traveling daily to and from the hospital, missing work, and making sure Luca is getting the nutrition they need. On top of this, Luca is unable to work to pay their share of rent, which is taxing to their best friend and roommate.
This week Luca will be moving to a dedicated recovery center, before finally coming home to their family.
Leading up to this, there is a lot of work and money that will need to go into prepping our homes for Luca's recovery. A dedicated room with proper accommodations, railings, shower adaptations, etc.
We are truly hoping you will find it in your heart to assist us and Luca to keep the financial burden to a minimum so we are able to focus on the care and recovery of Luca. I am currently writing this in their hospital room. They are eating a pear and teaching me eveything about Adventure Time. They are the coolest. We all love them, so.
On behalf of all of us, mom Be, dad Daniel, bonus mom Em, little sister Aida, Luca, and the rest of their loving family and friends, thank you so very much for reading this and keeping Luca in your hearts and prayers.
I have to leave you with one last thing from Luca themself. One of their very favorite quotes came up recently during our Adveture Time viewings. I thought it was quite appropriate. They teared up as the words were spoke. It goes like this:
"The shapes are always changing. Changing is their normal state, like us. Even if we're not changing on the outside, we're changing on the inside constantly. There's some stuff about me that I'd been ignoring for a long time. I'm afraid of that stuff. But it's part of who I am. As long as I know the shape of my soul, I'll be all right"
Luca will be alright. It's all just very scary right now.
Thank you all, again. So much.
