The Thieman Family

As I am sure many of you have seen, sweet Tessa has been diagnosed with cancer. She has a tumor in her lower pelvis, and the official report is that it is a "germ cell tumor" that has likely been forming since she was in the womb.

 

The Thieman family has been blessed with a fantastic team of oncologists and nurses at CHKD, who have stated this type of tumor/cancer is treatable with chemotherapy and surgery. The next several months will be the most taxing. Tessa has already undergone surgery to biopsy the tumor and placed her port to begin chemotherapy to shrink the tumor to a smaller size for the surgeons to remove it safely from her pelvis. As of right now, the tumor is too large to remove without putting Tessa at risk.

 

We are unsure when Tessa will be able to come home, as the tumor has to get smaller for her to go home. As you can imagine, this is every parent's worst nightmare, but Katie and Jared want everyone to know that Tessa is a WARRIOR. She is anxious to come home and see her family and friends but understands that the doctors and nurses are doing everything to make her feel better.

 

In addition to these uncharted waters the Thieman family is facing, Tessa will soon be a big sister, and she could not be more excited even during what will be one of the most challenging times of her life to take on that role. As of now it is unsure what the future holds, so Katie will be taking a leave of absence from work for however long it takes to ensure Tessa gets the care she needs as she goes through chemo the next several months.

 

I have seen what this community can do and how people can come together to care for our own. No child, nor parent should ever have to endure this disease.

 

So many have reached out asking what they can do to help, and any donation, no matter how big or small, will help the Thieman family with upcoming expenses. Please continue to keep Tessa, Katie and Jared in your thoughts and prayers. Updates will be provided as they are received, as every day will be everchanging for sweet Tessa while she battles this disease and continues treatments.

 

Thank you All

 

xx