Brayleigh Beating Brain Cancer

Hi my name is Erika and I am Christi’s sister and Brayleigh’s auntie.

 

Brayleigh was diagnosed on 10/16/2021 with Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

 

Brayleigh spent a wonderful week on vacation in Florida when she began showing symptoms of left sided weakness in her hands and toes. She began to walk on her tiptoes, and she progressively developed an unsteady gait. She also has a slight facial droop and weakened swallowing muscles.

 

Christi immediately took Brayleigh to the Emergency Room in Florida where they did a CT scan and an MRI. This is when they were told she had a tumor on her brain stem. They did not have any more information than this at that time.

They took the next flight home the following morning and went straight to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee.

 

At Children's Hospital in Milwaukee a team of specialists got together and reviewed her case. Ultimately Christi and Pat were delivered the terrible news this was DIPG.

 

This is a brain tumor that is highly aggressive and difficult to treat. It occurs in an area of the brainstem (the lowest, stem-like part of the brain) called the pons, which controls many of the body's most vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate, and every day activities such as walking and swallowing.

It also affects the nerves and muscles that help us see, hear, and talk. Symptoms usually develop rapidly in the majority of patients because of the fast growth of these tumors.

 

Unfortunately this type of tumor is inoperable and does not respond to chemotherapy due to its location in such a sensitive part of the brain.

 

DIPG is very rare and only affects 250-300 children in the United States per year.

 

 

Brayleighs daddy (Pat) and mommy (Christi) and both sides of their family have been tirelessly searching for clinical trials and other treatments to help our sweet Brayleigh. Pat and Christi will be needing assistance with gas, housing, food, and most importantly medical costs that will not be covered by insurance through this process. The last thing the two of them need to worry about right now is how they will financially afford the absolute best possible care that they can provide for her.

 

Brayleigh will begin daily radiation treatments to slow the growth and/or shrink the tumor temporarily and hopefully be accepted into a clinical trial in the next few days.

 

 

Brayleigh deserves the absolute best and we are all determined to provide it to her!!

Brayleigh, Christi, and Pat truly have a village of people around them pouring in endless support. We are calling this village BRAYLEIGHVILLE.

 

Please consider donation in support of the three of them. Any excess $ that has not been utilized through this process will then be donated to support research and further clinical trials to find a cure for this terrible type of childhood cancer.

 

Christi and Pat are both very busy finding the best possible medical care for their daughter, as well as spending as much quality time with her as possible.

If you send messages to them, please understand they are very busy and going through a tough time. Please understand that a reply might be delayed and/or difficult entirely. Thank you for your respect and consideration.

 

Much love and positive vibes for Brayleighville!