Evangeline Strong

On January 28th we came to the Children’s emergency room due to high fevers, after many tests and a ct scan later, we were informed that Evangeline had a brain mass or tumor. Our world came tumbling down. Evangeline was admitted to the hospital on the 29th, had the tumor removed on the 31st. It was Ependymoma, a type of tumor that can form in the brain or spinal cord. Fortunately for us it was centralized and  the cancer did not spread. After surgery she started swelling in her belly and after some tests and no results, she was taken to extract liquid in hopes of figuring out what was going on. On February 5th Evangeline had to go in for an emergency operation of her abdomen due to her duodenum rupturing. In speaking with the brain surgeon and doctors the next thing to do was a tracheostomy due to where her tumor was it damaged her ability to swallow, cough and gag therefore she could not keep her airway clear and keeping a tube down her throat was not ideal. Once the dust settled a little and a scan of her belly showed improvement, they removed one of the two drains from her belly which later caused an infection. After a few days on antibiotics she was doing fine, until one weekend she began having seizures. Those are under control and have stopped. Radiation treatment is set to begin soon this month. Evangeline is doing well so far and we pray she continues to do so. This is something no 8 year old should go through and we are no closer to going home so this is where we ask for your help. The money donated with help cover the adjustment to single family income, things our insurance won’t cover and providing a comfortable way of life as normal as possible for both Evangeline and her sister. Please and thank you. Barry and I appreciate all the support.