Help our Little Love bug fight DIPG Cancer
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We want to thank each person who has taken the time to visit our page. We hope and pray that in the few moments you take to learn about our family, that you will feel and understand how much we covet your prayers.
OUR STORY
Our love bug has always been an active and on the go little girl. But on November 29, 2019 we noticed that things were different. We noticed that her right eye rolled to the left and her head would tilt the same direction. She seemed to be clumsier and would fall over as she walked.
The afternoon of Saturday the 30th Jennifer noticed the same and between the two the decision was made to take love bug to the urgent care. Urgent care promptly sent us over to the emergency department. Blood tests were ran and a MRI was suggested. Since blood work returned normal they offered to allow us to come back Monday morning for the MRI. Because of insurance purposes the MRI was delayed until Tuesday morning.
December 3, 2019
The day our world turned upside down. The day our world came crashing down around us!! The doctors performed every test imaginable (which was heart breaking because she was so scared) looking for the problem. And then the doctor came out and basically ended our world, our love bug was preliminarily diagnosed with a brain stem tumor known as DIPG (Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma). A very rare aggressive cancer that attacks the brain and body functions. We were told immediately to get in our car and drive straight to St Louis Children's Hospital, where more testing was done and an additional MRI was completed. We then proceeded to wait to hear the news of the very last thing any parent wants to hear. The Dr came in and said that our little girl had what strongly appeared to be a very rare tumor that was in the pontine region and wrapped around her brain stem. They called this monster a DIPG. It was confirmed and what was worse, we were told that there was no cure. Our baby girl was going to die. We were told that without treatment our princess could possibly have 3 MONTHS, with treatment she could have 9 months to 1 year. The treatment is only palliative at best. And the only option at this time is radiation. Because of her age, our girl can have radiation one time. We have ONE SHOT to extend her life long enough to hope for a clinical trial to possibly save her life. Clinical trials are not covered by insurance so we have to pay for this out of our own pocket.
She's been so strong during this ordeal so far. She never loses her smile and her spirit even though shes been through so much already. When she is hooked up to her IV she calls it her buddy. We want to be like her, to be so strong even during all the treatments and things she must endure. Doctors have given her 9 months to live, but in our hearts I know she will be the miracle and will beat this horrible disease. She can't leave us.
DIPG
What we've learned about DIPG:
DIPG is a rare type of tumor, with less than 300 cases reported each year. There is no known cause (some believe to be genetic mutation), no known cure, no chance of survival. This pediatric cancer strikes young children less than 11 yrs. almost exclusively, with less than 10% surviving two years following diagnosis and less than 1% surviving five years.
Surgery is not recommended due to the location of the tumor and our current hope is radiation therapy for 6 weeks with sedation required everyday.
We are holding up but our hearts are heavy. Our love bug has 4 other siblings at home who miss us and we miss them.
Now to the nitty gritty facts. Jennifer has to quit her job or cut way way back at the very least. But its going to be a while before she will be able to even do a few days here and there because this journey just started. Catina is trying to get FMLA but it will essentially be without pay! We are going to have to be up in St Louis frequently. If you find it in your heart to help lessen our load during this holiday season we would appreciate any help right now to give our baby girl a longer chance at life, a chance to go to school, a chance to see another Christmas, school programs and another Halloween to dress up like a princess. Anything will help even if it's just 5 dollars. Everything adds up. We covet your prayers more than anything.
With loving hearts,
Catina and Jennifer Anderson
OUR STORY
Our love bug has always been an active and on the go little girl. But on November 29, 2019 we noticed that things were different. We noticed that her right eye rolled to the left and her head would tilt the same direction. She seemed to be clumsier and would fall over as she walked.
The afternoon of Saturday the 30th Jennifer noticed the same and between the two the decision was made to take love bug to the urgent care. Urgent care promptly sent us over to the emergency department. Blood tests were ran and a MRI was suggested. Since blood work returned normal they offered to allow us to come back Monday morning for the MRI. Because of insurance purposes the MRI was delayed until Tuesday morning.
December 3, 2019
The day our world turned upside down. The day our world came crashing down around us!! The doctors performed every test imaginable (which was heart breaking because she was so scared) looking for the problem. And then the doctor came out and basically ended our world, our love bug was preliminarily diagnosed with a brain stem tumor known as DIPG (Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma). A very rare aggressive cancer that attacks the brain and body functions. We were told immediately to get in our car and drive straight to St Louis Children's Hospital, where more testing was done and an additional MRI was completed. We then proceeded to wait to hear the news of the very last thing any parent wants to hear. The Dr came in and said that our little girl had what strongly appeared to be a very rare tumor that was in the pontine region and wrapped around her brain stem. They called this monster a DIPG. It was confirmed and what was worse, we were told that there was no cure. Our baby girl was going to die. We were told that without treatment our princess could possibly have 3 MONTHS, with treatment she could have 9 months to 1 year. The treatment is only palliative at best. And the only option at this time is radiation. Because of her age, our girl can have radiation one time. We have ONE SHOT to extend her life long enough to hope for a clinical trial to possibly save her life. Clinical trials are not covered by insurance so we have to pay for this out of our own pocket.
She's been so strong during this ordeal so far. She never loses her smile and her spirit even though shes been through so much already. When she is hooked up to her IV she calls it her buddy. We want to be like her, to be so strong even during all the treatments and things she must endure. Doctors have given her 9 months to live, but in our hearts I know she will be the miracle and will beat this horrible disease. She can't leave us.
DIPG
What we've learned about DIPG:
DIPG is a rare type of tumor, with less than 300 cases reported each year. There is no known cause (some believe to be genetic mutation), no known cure, no chance of survival. This pediatric cancer strikes young children less than 11 yrs. almost exclusively, with less than 10% surviving two years following diagnosis and less than 1% surviving five years.
Surgery is not recommended due to the location of the tumor and our current hope is radiation therapy for 6 weeks with sedation required everyday.
We are holding up but our hearts are heavy. Our love bug has 4 other siblings at home who miss us and we miss them.
Now to the nitty gritty facts. Jennifer has to quit her job or cut way way back at the very least. But its going to be a while before she will be able to even do a few days here and there because this journey just started. Catina is trying to get FMLA but it will essentially be without pay! We are going to have to be up in St Louis frequently. If you find it in your heart to help lessen our load during this holiday season we would appreciate any help right now to give our baby girl a longer chance at life, a chance to go to school, a chance to see another Christmas, school programs and another Halloween to dress up like a princess. Anything will help even if it's just 5 dollars. Everything adds up. We covet your prayers more than anything.
With loving hearts,
Catina and Jennifer Anderson
Organizer
Catina Anderson
Organizer
Buffalo, MO