Lexi's Fight Against Medulloblastoma

It is with a very heavy heart that we share the Butler’s were given devastating life changing news..again. However, this time they were not being told their sweet baby Emme was sick. This time they were being told their vibrant, sassy, beautiful, smart, larger than life 6 year old daughter Lexi has a brain tumor. Unfortunately, Lexi already watched her baby sister fight cancer and is well aware of all the awful things cancer does, she is now fighting her own battle. After finishing up a fun Fall season filled with school, soccer games, dance classes, and time spent with family and friends Amanda started to notice some very subtle changes in Lexi. As days went on Amanda couldn't shake this nagging feeling and brought Lexi to the ER. Their lives came to a crashing halt a few days before Thanksgiving when doctors found a brain tumor at the base of Lexi’s skull. Within hours Lexi was in the operating room. After a long risky surgery Shawn and Amanda were given the news that the surgeon was able to resect the entire tumor. As joyous as this news was, they quickly learned they were being struck by lightning for the second time- Lexi’s tumor was cancerous and was later diagnosed with Medulloblastoma.

As many of you know, Shawn and Amanda have already once been told that their child has cancer. Just about 3.5 years ago Lexi’s younger sister Emme, was just six months old when she was diagnosed with stage IV high risk Neuroblastoma. Today, Emme is a healthy and happy four year old, now cheering on her big sister. Emme will complete her own treatment this coming August in New York City!

Lexi was immediately admitted to the ICU and underwent emergency brain surgery and has completed 6 weeks of radiation to her brain and spine. They are now gearing up for what we hope to be the last leg of Lexi’s cancer journey, 4 rounds of high dose chemotherapy. They expect the next several months will be very straining on Lexi and will include lengthy hospital admissions, but have the highest hopes Lexi will remain cancer free.

Pediatric cancer is the worst kind of torture, no family should have to go through this battle once, never mind twice. Their community has generously rallied behind the Butlers once before, we ask if you can, to help them out again. We hope to relieve some of the exorbitant financial burden that cancer puts on families but also hoping to allow Shawn to be home with the girls and focus on Lexi and her recovery!

With sincere gratitude,

Megan Bernazzani and Lauren Bernazzani