Hudson’s fight for a Childhood

My name is Christina and many of you know our family: my spouse, Derek Smith, and our two sons Roman and our sweet baby boy, Hudson Behrens Smith, who has been fighting his second battle with cancer for the last 10 months.

As many of you know, in November 2020 at 14 months-old Hudson was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a brain tumor in the cerebellum, with metastatic spread to his spine and resultant severe hydrocephalus. Hudson spent 8 months in the hospital receiving chemotherapy and stem cell treatments, as well as multiple brain surgeries. He was frequently admitted because of illness from chemo and received countless platelets, blood transfusions and antibiotics. Hudson also suffered bleeding in the brain from treatments and surgeries which resulted in having a second shunt placed in his brain.

Hudson was in remission for three months in 2021. We learned in October 2021 that his tumor had returned in more than one spot. We were heartbroken and scared. Despite our fears, we knew he was a fighter and the decision was made to try chemo again. In January 2022, we learned his tumors were not responding to the treatments. The oncologists recommended we place a reservoir in his brain and deliver chemo directly to his brain. We were absolutely amazed and felt so blessed when we learned this worked for him and the tumors had responded.

Hudson will turn 3 years-old on September 8th and it is time to go to radiation. Hudson will go under anesthesia for radiation mapping on his birthday. Hudson’s birthday coincidentally is the same month of childhood cancer awareness month. We have hope and faith that radiation will be the treatment he needs to give him a cancer-free life.

This has been a financially and emotionally difficult time for our family. We were blown away and thankful from the bottom of our hearts with the outpouring of support and prayers we received when Hudson was first diagnosed in 2020, that helped sail us through the first diagnosis, and we can never thank everyone enough.

Financially we have survived since his diagnosis of recurrence due to Derek being able to keep working, but it has been difficult. It has been a challenge having to take time off of work for appointments, surgeries and travel back and forth from Spokane to Seattle for some of his care.

Although Hudson has insurance and most things are covered, we are left with certain prescription medications, oral chemo, and other specialty items he needs for his care. We have been blindsided by the costs of non-medical bills and non-medical care items that are necessary for him to have a good life during this journey.

Radiation will take place in Seattle and will require substantially more of us financially. We will have the cost of keeping up with our bills at home while away, and daily living expenses and things Hudson will need. We will also have added travel costs, including frequent travel for Hudson’s brother, Roman, to visit us in Seattle so he doesn’t miss too much school in Spokane. The other big expense we will have is lodging. We are on the waitlist for the Ronald McDonald House, however we will need to have funds secured to pay for a place to stay should we not receive a spot. We feel it would be best to rent an Airbnb as many other families have done to accommodate our whole family. This will allow us to have enough space, maintain a clean environment for Hudson, and a quiet place for Roman to continue virtual school while he is with us. It will give us more privacy and as much normalcy as possible, which will be so important for Hudson in having a successful response to treatment.

We are asking for all of the prayers and good wishes that we can get. We truly believe that it is these prayers that have kept our beautiful boy with us. We are so thankful and blessed to receive any help. The funds from this campaign will be used to help Hudson and our family get through these next few very difficult months and hopefully have a smooth transition back to normal life. Thank you for taking the time to read our story. For those of you who are not comfortable donating to go fund me and would rather use pay pal the link is here https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8MVQoWorrl.