Keelan Arbuckle

Hi, we are co-workers of Justin Arbuckle, helping the family raise funds for six-year-old son Keelan. Keelan recently underwent major surgery to remove multiple masses from his spine and was diagnosed with Ependymoma Grade II. Remaining masses will have to be treated agressively with radiation.

Keelan is big brother to 4-year-old Isla and 2-year-old Luca. The Arbuckles are a YOUNG, SWEET family that has selflessly given so much to our community that we want to do everything we can to help them through this next part of their journey.

From Raquel (mom): “Grade II Ependymomas are low-grade tumors and can occur in either the brain or the spine. Keelan’s Grade II ependymomas are malignant because it had spread to the spine. The tumors seen in the MRI were mostly removed but some remained. And the white matter along the spine seen in the MRI also remained. This will require radiation. Radiation will last about 4-6 weeks. He will not be able to attend school because of the lowered immune system. An MRI will follow to be sure the radiation is working. Praying that radiation will get rid of all of it! After it is gone, MRIs will follow every 3 months for a while, the 6 months, then every year, since there is a possibility of it returning. We will be able to return home as soon as Friday. He will be having radiation 5 days a week at Touro.

Today we have been having all the tests ran to keep everything monitored being sure radiation will not affect any of it. He’s having hearing, respiratory, heart, eye and lung tests.

Physical therapy has been helping so much. He is able to walk by himself. He climbed the stairs and kicked a ball around. He is still a little sore but definitely heading in the right direction.

We have a long road ahead of us but I know we have all of the support and prayers! We are so thankful and appreciate everything so far. Hearing the word cancer thrown around is something I do not want anyone to ever have to experience.

For everyone asking...There were no signs of this coming. He was jumping on the trampoline and playing as he normally would all day the day before his back and head suddenly started hurting.”

Onto the next steps of radiation/recovery!

Thanks for supporting the Arbuckle Family