Mason's Journey

I'd like to introduce you to a brave, inspiring, and adventurous 9 yr old boy, Mason Simcsak. My Facebook family and friends might remember me reaching out during the holiday season to help make their Christmas Merry & Bright. Might I let you know, with your generosity, the family was able to convert their garage into a wheelchair and Mason-friendly environment. It is where he spends a majority of his time. So with a swelled heart and a big hug, I thank you!

To backtrack a bit to those this might be the first time you're hearing/meeting Mason, Melissa(mom), Joey(dad), Aiden(brother), Maddy(sister), and Miley(sister).

Early 2021, Mason was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This is a rare bone cancer that begins in the cells that form our long bones, generally our arms and legs. In February his journey began. Doctors performed a rotationplasty in his left leg where the tumor lived. During the 8 hour surgery, they removed the lower part of Mason's left leg which included the tumor. (knee to right above the ankle). His knee and foot were then reattached at 180° angle where his knee once was, creating a new knee. The ankle, once rehabbed, performs as a functioning kneecap which is then fitted for a prosthetic. Mason underwent months of intense chemotherapy, was rehabbed, endless days and trips to the hospital. On November 30th, they got the call. Mason was cancer free!!

The missing pieces of this story thus far is what Mason and his family experienced throughout this process. The financial hardship took the back burner to being petrified as a Mother & Father trying to console and explain these new "things" their child all while trying to understand it themselves and maintain their household. A 9yr old faced with so many physical and mental challenges. A family faced with the unknown.

In September Mason was starting 3rd grade but above all the anxieties still dealing with COVID19 and it's uncertainties, Mason year was further implicated. He looked different, felt different, had lost his leg, his hair, and 25% of his hearing. This might be considered the 2nd phase of his battles. The children and teacher from his 3rd grade class which included his 2, now, best buddies Grayson and Jaxon (3 Amigos) were all notified during the summer break so we could educate our children. Speaking as a parent of the class, they have all been extremely supportive and made it that much more pleasant for Mason. The children and teacher always ask about and worry about Mason, send him well wishes when he wasnt well enough to attend.

Right after the New Year and 9th birthday celebrations Mason had to head back for a short (4-5 wk) hospital stay to learn how to function with his new leg, long term. I will say, some days my son came home amazed how well Mason got around and could do everything with just one leg. We even went through a period where he hopped around just to see if, he too, could do it. Mason didnt need his leg for confidence or to do the things he wanted. Leg or not, Mason is determined and unstoppable. You'd be the fool to think Mason couldn't play tennis, roller skate, jump on a trampoline, play basketball, drive go-carts, ..."I can't" and "maybe its best not to do that because..." is never an option for him.

3 weeks ago Mason had to return like many other times for routine testing. This day they would do a regular 3 month chest X-ray and some blood work....

It brings me to tears having to share this, but the doctors found nodules on his lungs which, at the time, thought to have a 70% of being malignant. Two days later, on March 24th, Mason unwent surgery to remove and biopsy some of the nodules. A full body scan to follow in the coming week. To further complicate, they received a call 2 days later saying his covid test came back positive pushing the scan out another week.

This past week, it was confirmed that the cancer has spread. There aren't promisimg treatment options and his cancer is terminal. The doctors suggested and only fighting chance is to enroll Mason in a trial. Thr family has decided to move forward with the trial while simultaneously, get opinions of other physicians.

In Melissa's words "I will never stop trying to save my baby".

I ask and encourage everyone to follow the full process of Mason's story on Facebook #masonstrong

We write this on behalf of Melissa who won't ask for help herself, who will deal with what life throws her day-by-day. She tries everyday, to live in the "now". We are all only promised this very moment and she intends to make the best of what they have right now.

My request from all of you is to help Melissa and Joey make their family's every moment count in these next several months. Help make life a little more manageable for Mason and his family.

Whether financial support by donating here, food, clothing, emotional support, a suggestion, a resource, a prayer, or you have an uplifting story of your own to share with them...it WILL make a difference. We can't do it alone....they can't do this alone.