In September of 2020 we took Brooklyn to the ER for a headache we couldn’t get to go away. She had been having infrequent migraines for the last year or more.  We were sent home and the headache persisted so the next day we went to a different ER for a ‘migraine cocktail’. That failed to help so we ended up at Children’s who rushed her back for a MRI that showed a rare brain tumor, craniopharyngioma. An EVD drain was placed that night to relieve the fluid build up putting pressure on her brain and a week later she had surgery to remove the tumor. The surgery was 12 hours and was a complete success, they removed the entire tumor. In doing so, Brooklyn lost her pituitary gland- all hormone function. She was left with diabetes insipisdus, adrenal insufficiency, growth hormone deficiency and hypothyroidism. We waited a year to start growth hormone and she was monitored closely with mri scans every 3 months. She started growth hormone in September of 2021. Her scan in January of 2022 showed something ‘suspicious’.  Later scans confirmed it was regrowth of her tumor. Her doctors watched it closely for over a year  until it was time to take action before it caused vascular or optic issues. It was agonizing having to decide which treatment plan was best. Ultimately we opted for proton radiation at St Jude. We spent two months there; 30 rounds of proton and finished treatment 11/29/23. 

Now we go for scans every 3 months and monitor the tumor, to see if radiation worked. 

Brooke is unique and amazing and smart and funny. She has overcome so much. She loves art and music and hanging out with friends. 

Thank you for choosing to donate to The Cure Starts Now Foundation. 100% of this donation, after credit card processing fees, goes directly towards research to find the homerun cure for cancer starting with pediatric brain cancer research.

If you would like to make a donation by mail please send a check to:  The Cure Starts Now Foundation; 10280 Chester Road; Cincinnati, OH 45215 and put the child's name in the memo.

The family receives notification of all donations made to this tribute fund automatically. Thank you again for giving.  The cure starts with you…The Cure Starts NOW!