Ezra Rocks! Rare Sinus Tumors Suck!
Donation protected
As some of you may be aware, and for those who are not, for the last six months my nephew Ezra has been on a journey trying to solve the mystery of a constantly blocked and runny, occasionally bloody nose. After a lot of doctor's appointments, my sister Erin, brother in law Brandon, and most importantly, Ezra, finally have a diagnosis. It's called Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA). JNA is hormone-related and only happens to teenage boys! It’s incredibly rare - fewer than 50 new cases in the US each year.
This is a benign but large and complicated vascular tumor filling the sinuses on the right side of Ezra's face. I'm lucky to report that this is not currently causing him any pain, however it has damaged some bone, and is approaching his brain and eyes. As you would expect, his treatment includes surgery and will involve a team including a neurosurgeon and an ophthalmic surgeon along with a skull base surgeon. What makes this more complicated is that all of these incredibly wonderful doctors that will be helping Ezra are located in Boston. My sister and her family live in Portland, Maine. Not only are they facing many medical costs, they will be forced to live away from home for an uncertain amount of time, which will also mean lost wages.
Asking for help is a daunting thing. What I also know is that when it comes to family and their well being, taking the risk is worth it. As I sit so far away in California, I have been trying to think of the best way to help my sister Erin, brother-in-law Brandon, and nephew Ezra in this new scary journey they are about to embark on. I’m hoping that with this campaign we can come together and help relieve some of the unexpected financial hindrances headed their way. If you are able to donate to help a spectacular family, my gratitude would know no limits.
And, if you’re not familiar with Ezra, let me fill you in. He is the smartest kid! He’s 13 and in 7th grade. He plays bass, sings in a band, acts, does improv and loves to create movies. On top of that, he’ll also beat you in any pun war, blow your mind with all of his science facts, and beat you in a spelling bee (he just came in 2nd in the County Spelling Bee!). He’s one of the coolest kids I know and I know he's going to get through this with flying colors.
Thank you again for your help!
This is a benign but large and complicated vascular tumor filling the sinuses on the right side of Ezra's face. I'm lucky to report that this is not currently causing him any pain, however it has damaged some bone, and is approaching his brain and eyes. As you would expect, his treatment includes surgery and will involve a team including a neurosurgeon and an ophthalmic surgeon along with a skull base surgeon. What makes this more complicated is that all of these incredibly wonderful doctors that will be helping Ezra are located in Boston. My sister and her family live in Portland, Maine. Not only are they facing many medical costs, they will be forced to live away from home for an uncertain amount of time, which will also mean lost wages.
Asking for help is a daunting thing. What I also know is that when it comes to family and their well being, taking the risk is worth it. As I sit so far away in California, I have been trying to think of the best way to help my sister Erin, brother-in-law Brandon, and nephew Ezra in this new scary journey they are about to embark on. I’m hoping that with this campaign we can come together and help relieve some of the unexpected financial hindrances headed their way. If you are able to donate to help a spectacular family, my gratitude would know no limits.
And, if you’re not familiar with Ezra, let me fill you in. He is the smartest kid! He’s 13 and in 7th grade. He plays bass, sings in a band, acts, does improv and loves to create movies. On top of that, he’ll also beat you in any pun war, blow your mind with all of his science facts, and beat you in a spelling bee (he just came in 2nd in the County Spelling Bee!). He’s one of the coolest kids I know and I know he's going to get through this with flying colors.
Thank you again for your help!
Organizer and beneficiary
Megan O’Toole
Organizer
Burbank, CA
Erin Lee
Beneficiary