Rico Family - Double Blessings

This very wonderful family has two of the most amazing children with separate, unrelated medical conditions. They are both raised by the most loving and supportive parents you will ever meet!  However, given the magnitude of their conditions, their full-time care has taken an emotional and financial toll on this sweet family. 

Tanner's story began at birth and Pria's began around the same time Tanner was diagnosed when she was 5. You can read more about this family, their medical conditions -- Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) at here.

This new part of Tanner's story began September 2020. Tanner started having increased pain in his back, muscle weakness and even more limited movement than he previously had. His parents, Traci & Tony, worked diligently to figure out the source of the pain, sought all avenues of treatment to alleviate it and prevent it from getting worse. Despite all their efforts, the pain increased and extended into other areas of Tanner's body. Finally, a doctor was willing to hear them and agreed that he needed immediate intervention and diagnostic testing. 

DMD is a complicated and rare genetic disorder. Nothing is easy to medically treat and many treatments are counterintuitive. What usually "helps" a typical child could negatively affect a DMD patient. 

After arriving in the ER at midnight on Sept 11th, being admitted, and undergoing a slew of testing (after overcoming many hurdles), doctors discovered Tanner had a very large kidney stone. However, they discovered a secondary unknown source of pain as well in his spine. After much consulting between doctors on the best way to proceed with everything, the doctors were able to get the imagine that they needed to confirm the spinal pain. Tanner had a large tumor in his spine from the lowest part all the way to T12. 

Within two days, a surgical plan was made between a neurosurgeon and DMD experts. On 9/17 Tanner underwent a 10-11 hour surgery to successfully remove 99%, if not all, of the tumor. Jesus is so faithful and good and has answered so many prayers through this difficult time.

Tanner's care as he battles Ewing's Sarcoma Cancer along with DMD will continue to be long-term (read months) & ongoing at the hospital. They will not be discharged any time soon. Both Traci & Tony are needed by his side 24/7 to help care for him. This also means that during this time, they are unable to work and have financial income.

I have known this inspirational bunch for more than 10 years, and know that they spend every dime with responsible consideration.  Your contribution -- of any size -- will allow them to stay by Tanner's side while he battles cancer and pay for all the medical expenses associated with both Tanner & Pria's rare diseases. There are plane trips, hotel stays, co-payments, and doctor visits -- all of which are out-of-pocket expenses. Pria will continue to have surgeries every 3-7 weeks (to clear her airway) unless a cure is found. December 2020 marks her 98th surgery.

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we now how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

Thank you for reading and considering an amount that will offer some much-needed relief! 

-Bridgid