Meet Amelia.
From the family:
Amelia is a spunky 7 year old who is kind, witty, imaginative, and a little firecracker!
In beginning of the school year last year (2022), Amelia was like any other normal 7yr old. She was thriving in first grade, loved school, and enjoyed seeing all her friends. But on November 18th, a two day headache brought her to Minneapolis children hospital ER which changed her life. The worst news was given to us; scans revealed a 7cm tumor on the back right of her brain. After a successful surgery, the day after thanksgiving, surgeons were able to remove the whole tumor. Then, on a few days later, we were devastated to learn she was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma.
The months following the surgery, Amelia has been a champion. Amelia continues to feel closer to her normal self despite having knocked out 31 radiation treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota so far. She has also participated in a Mayo study of "benefits of physical and cognitive therapy well undergoing radiation to the brain" while receiving oral chemo treatments at home.
Although we have taken everything in stride, Amelia has had setbacks to her treatment. Along the treatment plan, we learned Amelia has a heart defect which prevents her from receiving all the chemo treatments she needs. We also learned that she has a genetic mutation, LI Fraumeni Syndrome, that makes her a high risk for cancer (meaning she could also get cancer from the cancer treatments she receives). With all attention towards Amelia, her 10yr old brother, Damon, was an undiagnosed Type 1 diabetic who nearly lost his life to a diabetic episode with a blood sugar level of 1100! Thankfully, he and we were able to address the newly found diagnosis, recover and attention has since been back towards Amelia.
We've had an uphill battle with Amelia's Treatment plans constantly changing and unexpected concern with her brother but we remain positive as a family! Amelia's strength, humor, and spice gives us hope to navigate together.
She is one amazing and tough kid!
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