Prayers, Healing, and Blessings for Lyric Jacks

First, I would like to thank everyone who has blessed Lyric. We are so grateful for the abundance of support you have given us.  As many of you have read, in 2018, my daughter Lyric was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma. This is a malignant/cancerous tumor that forms when cells in the central nervous system (including the brain and spinal cord) multiply rapidly. The cells are frequently located in the brain when found in children. This is the case of Lyric and has been the fight of her life.  


Lyric went through a series of three major brain surgeries in Atlanta, GA that almost took her life. She has also been through countless Radiation and Chemotherapy methods aimed to kill remaining tumor cells that surgery cannot safely remove due to the location of the tumor. Doctors are now saying there is nothing more they can do for Lyric and placed her in Palliative Care. Hospice Nurses continue to visit our hotel room to monitor Lyric’s condition since all hospitals and doctors have given up on her.


In December 2019, we travelled to Australia in hopes of meeting Dr. Charlie Tao who is known for treating patients with tumors like Lyric’s. However, it would not have been safe for Lyric to fly back hime after surgery due to the possible risks to her brain from airplane cabin pressure.


I became more desperate as Lyric’s illness rapidly progressed. After continued research, God sent us an angel, Dr. David Sandberg (Pediatric Neurosurgeon in Houston, Texas).  We drove to Houston on September 3, 2020, leaving everything we’ve worked hard for behind in Atlanta. Only three days after we checked into our hotel, we had to rush Lyric to the emergency room.


On September 10, 2020, Dr. Sandberg performed major brain surgery on Lyric that  lasted 13 hours.  He removed more tumor than any of our previous doctors and he has continued to be by our side. Unfortunately, on November 27, 2020, we had to rush Lyric back to the hospital due to a series of her having four seizures.  The doctor’s medical scan revealed that the tumor has returned with dramatic growth from September 10th’s surgery. It quickly spread in various directions within the brain.


My heart is shattered and I am desperate. I will not count my daughter out.  Imagine how it feels to watch your little girl go from singing, dancing, cracking jokes and loving on everyone, to not being able to do anything for herself.  I am numb and my heart hurts constantly. We have no resources left.  Lyric needs full time care and special dieting.  She has lost complete vision and is unable to walk. Due to the aggressive growth of the tumor, she cannot sit up or eat without help.


Since Lyric’s diagnosis, 100% of my day is dedicated to her so I am unable to work to provide for my family.  We are traveling from hotel to hotel to find help for Lyric. I also have a 5-year-old and 19-year-old daughter that have been immensely affected by this. I am so grateful for everything that everyone is doing. While I am not the type of person to ask for help, God has shown me that I must put pride aside and exercise my faith.  We truly need your help and sincerely appreciate whatever you can provide as we continue to fight this battle against cancer. Lyric loves you all so much and so do I. May God bless you!