Danielle's Brain Tumor and Surgeries Now Summer Camp too!

Hi, My name is Trish, we live in Casa Grande AZ.. On February 17th, 2023 we found out my 16 year old daughter Danielle has a chordoma brain tumor. They had to move several patients around because the tumor was so large it was pushing on her corated ateries. She had her 1st surgery on March 7th. They were able to get about 40% of the tumor so far after being on the operating table for 12 hours. She will need at least one more surgery and radiation. Only 1 in a million will ever have this tumor and only 5% are children, it is also bone cancer. Her surgeon said he believes it's not an aggressive cancer. What we need help with is what insurance doesn't cover, hotel fees while my husband and I stay close to the hospital, and other not planned for things. I also asked the doctor if I needed to stay home with her while she is going through this and they said yes so I quit my job the next day. We are on a very long road to recovery and will need help with our monthly bills as well until I can get rehired on at the post office. I was not there long enough to get the Family Medical leave act. Depending on her imbalance issues she will probably need a service dog as well. After her 1st surgery she talks more, is my giggly little girl again, but has bad dizzy spells, migraines, nausea and imbalance issues. She just wants to be a normal teen girl, that is her dream at this time. If you can help we would really appreciate anything including prayers. Thank you so much!! I also added 2 new pics to the end. They were from her mask fitting for proton beam therapy

9/8 update...not going to Houston! Mayo agreed to no more surgery!! She started proton beam therapy last week in Scottsdale. So far she's super tired and nauseous. We are working limited hours due to getting her back and forth, but we are staying at the ronald mcdonald house too which helps. My husband and I switch every few days so she gets her treatment, we can pay bills, but food and fuel is an issue. If anyone can help we so appreciate it, prays and good thoughts are very much appreciated too!

The following is and older update...

6/25 Update...Dani has now had 2 surgeries. They have gotten a lot of her tumor and she is feeling better. Her resting heart rate since her last surgery at the end of April is really high. Most of the time it is 133 beats per minute. She has an appointment with a cardiologist this week, fingers crossed we can get that down. She also needs to prepare for Proton Beam Therapy. We are going to be heading to Houston TX for that treatment and we live in Arizona so that will be a drive and we will need to be there for about 8 weeks or maybe more. We will need to have her vision, hearing and cognitive thinking tested before we start Proton Beam Therapy. On top of all this her beloved emotional support cat, Spooky, who is not even 5 yet has heart problems and a tumor of her own. We are deeply saddened by this, but Spooky is home with her until she has laborded breathing and can't be us any longer. What a heartbreaking journey for Dani.

Here is a pic of the tumor. Dani after her surgery, getting ready for xray, her and her dad Ben, and Dani and I. She is in the 11th grade and has a passion for animals

UPDATE 4/11/2024

Dani is doing well. The surgeries and treatments are over for now. Her tumor and cancer are gone. She has lost over 50 lbs which we are trying to get back on her. She is working on her schooling. She is pretty behind with everything. We are raking her to summer camp in Montana. Its called Camp Mak-a-dream. The camp is for kids going through or went through cancer. The camp is free, we just need to get there. It's in August!! I'm hoping she can maybe met some kids that she can hang out with who have been through what she has!! Ben and I both went to work on Feb 26th and both were let go. We are looking for work, but need any help to get her to camp. We want to fly so it will be easier on her body vs driving. Anyone have any flight mileage they won't be using to help get us there? We would really appreciate it.