Help Lu’s Dad, Jamie Briscoe, be by her side
Hello friends, my name is Anne Wilson, many of you may or may not know me-either way I hope it doesn’t seem impersonal, but this is something that is very difficult to write.
My family, specifically my son Jamie, is going through every parent’s worst nightmare. As you may know from Facebook, Jamie’s 5-year-old daughter Luella (my youngest granddaughter), started experiencing seizures at her home in Ketchum, Idaho a little over a month ago. A scan revealed a mass on her brain, and she was ambulanced to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise where an MRI confirmed a tumor. After a week of tests and efforts to control the seizures, she underwent an 8-hour surgery to remove the golf ball-sized tumor from her left temporal lobe.
Because of the tumor’s characteristics, the biopsy was sent to a specialized lab in California. Unfortunately, the results were the worst possible outcome: Ependymoma (Grade 3 malignant). She is now in Seattle and will soon will undergo 6-8 weeks of radiation treatments in the University of Washington Medical Center Seattle.
Aside from the heartbreak of our sweet little Luella going through all this, it's also a tremendous stress for her family; emotionally, logistically, and financially. The expenses of transportation, affordable lodging near the hospitals, and meals are climbing rapidly. Not to forget eventual medical costs not covered by insurance. To help care for Luella, Jamie had to quickly leave Portland to move to Ketchum and find temporary living arrangements in Seattle while she undergoes radiation. (Ronald McDonald House has been an invaluable option up until now, but can no longer be used, because she’ll be receiving radiation on an outpatient basis.)
In addition to the proton radiation treatment that Luella will undergo in Seattle, following her return home to Ketchum, she will then need to undergo chemotherapy. The combined treatments give her the best outlook for her future.
Due to logistics, the closest facility to her Ketchum home is Boise, Idaho – about a 3 hour drive. Her chemo treatments will need to be weekly for approximately 2 months, which will also require more travel and overnight stays. I'm sure you can understand the accumulating costs and income hardships that Jamie and his family will be facing, ongoing.
Friends and family have asked if they can contribute to Jamie’s situation, for which I am so grateful. I've started this GoFundMe account so people can donate. We humbly thank you for your consideration in giving. Please be advised that donations to GoFundMe campaigns like this are not tax deductible.
I pray no one among you will ever have to go through something like this. We graciously thank you any way you can help. Please keep our little Luella and her parents in your prayers.
God reward you!
Sincerely,
Anne Wilson
