"Bo's Story"
In August 2007, Bo started throwing up every night, then every morning. It was getting so bad that he got dehydrated and eventually admitted to the hospital. Bo’s pediatrician, ordered a series of tests to find out why Bo continued to vomit. When all the tests came back clean, his Dr.ordered a CT scan, which showed that Bo had a Posterior Fossa Brain Tumor.
Within 30 minutes of receiving this horrible news, Bo was life-flighted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and went straight into surgery to put in an EVD (External Ventricular Drain) to relieve the pressure from the increase of fluid in the brain. After the EVD was put in, Bo had stopped vomiting and returned to his spunky, comedic self.
On August 26, 2009, a neurosurgeon, was able to remove 99% of the tumor. The rest was too dangerous to try to remove because it was attached to the brainstem. In the preliminary pathology results, it was discovered that the tumor was medulloblastoma.
Medulloblastoma is an aggressive grade 4 cancer requires chemo and radiation to kill the rest.
Immediately following surgery, Bo developed Posterior Fossa Syndrome leaving the left side of his face is paralyzed. He also had mutism, the inability to control any body movements, and extreme irritability. Rehab helped immensely with irritability and muscle strength. He has also regained a tiny bit of speech back.
Bo has since had a port surgically implanted to make receiving his chemo easier and is continuing with his treatments through the ups and downs. Bo started his first out of six rounds of an aggressive, high-dose chemo treatments. In May, of 2010, Bo successfully finished all of the harsh chemo and was able to finally return home since August! As of July 2010, Bo is half-way done with his at-home-maintenance-chemo.
Bo's parents report that, "God has blessed us with wonderful and loving family and friends. God is the ULTIMATE PHYSICIAN and we have ALL trust in Him. We have seen what the power of prayer can do...so please continue to pray!"
UPDATE:
A tumor has grown to the right of the original tumor site. WHERE the tumor is is still confusing so I can't tell you much other than the residual that Bo had after his brain surgery in August 2009 was to the left...this one is to the right. A new site? But still in the same tumor site? I don't know but hopefully will know more tomorrow. This tumor is 1cm.
Bo is having another brain surgery to remove this new tumor and then radiation.
Radiation will be out of state because this will be focused radiation and only a few states in all of USA does it. The closest is Jacksonville, FL and the other state to consider is Oklahoma. Of course, we want to go to Jacksonville. This, I believe, will be a six to eight week treatment.
UPDATE: Bo passed away on August 15th. He is cancer free. His victory secure. He is with the Great Physician now where there is no pain, no suffering.
Bo Story at Caring Bridge