Help Charlie Reese as he recovers Hydrocephalus

My cousin, Courtney and her family are at the mercy of our Lord and Savoir regarding their son, Charlie. He experienced a brain tumor and fluid on the brain and has received multiple emergency surgeries within days. Charlie is only 5 years old with the fight and heart of a Champion. He is a star that shines bright and brings sunshine to all who meet him. He has the support, love, prayers, and devotion from his family and friends and everyone else who is wonderful enough to include him in your prayers. We know God is watching over this sweet boy. So I am asking if you have anything you can spare to help ease all the new stresses that this family is now encountering; please consider donating. The below statements are writings from Courtney Reese, Charlie's mom. No parent should ever have to experience this/write about this or feel these fears and uncertainties. Please help this family and please Pray for Charlie.  These donations will help go to the costs of his multiple surgeries, medical bills, hospital stays and help relieve some stress at home while everyone is at the hospital rightfully being with their sweet, strong boy.  Please in any way you can HELP THIS FAMILY.  They would give anyone their last dollar to help them, now it's their turn to feel the love of this world and support of genuinely good human beings.  We are grateful for EVERY ONE OF YOU.  LET'S GO CHARLIE - YOU GOT THIS!!!! 

 

I can’t believe I’m even typing this. You see other people walk through this and never think it will be your story.

Brain tumor. Our sweet boy, Charlie has Hydrocephalus caused by a mass in his brain. At this point we don’t know if it’s benign or what it is exactly.

 

The last 24 hours have been the hardest of our entire lives. He’s been having headaches off and on and yesterday they got really bad really quickly.

 

I won’t pretend and say we’re good. We’re scared, we don’t have many answers right now. I just want to wake up from this nightmare. I feel like my faith and trust in the Lord is being stretched and tested with each passing hour. Quite honestly, it feels like I’m outside myself just watching what is unfolding around me.

 

I wasn’t sure I was going to even share this but I’m asking you all to please pray for Charlie. He is currently having a drain inserted into his head to relieve the pressure and so they can safely do an MRI. From there an amazing team of doctors at Duke will put together a game plan for how to remove the tumor either tomorrow or later this week.

 

Our God is good and sovereign and steadfast. I know He cares for Charlie, I know we can trust in His mighty hand.

 

Thank you all.

 

UPDATE as of 5/24/22

Charlie's surgery yesterday "went perfectly." The neurosurgeon was happy with the placement of the shunt and they ordered an MRI and x-ray which confirmed everything looks good. He experienced some emergent delirium coming off the anesthesia but was quickly back to his normal self by late yesterday. Today he was already up and walking around for PT and his pain is under control. He’s sporting a new summer buzz cut too .

 

The goal for the next few days is to get his meds back on schedule and sodium balanced again. From there we hope to leave the ICU and step down to the floor and God willing go home when the Endocrine doctors feel good about the medications and dosage.

 

Yesterday before his surgery some Star Wars characters visited and perked up all our spirits. Never thought I’d tear up seeing a Storm Trooper.