28/02/2023
THE DIAGNOSIS:
After a few months of mild back pain that was assumed to be a slipped disc or something minor, Aiden started having severe pain shooting down his legs that made sleeping difficult and being comfortable while working or sitting in school nearly impossible. Assuming the discomfort was mild, Aiden was referred to the Orthopedic Center in Southern Illinois. After an MRI, he was referred to St. Louis Children's Hospital for "several masses inside the spinal column."
Doctors confirmed that there were several lesions along the spine and one larger growth that was pressing on the spinal cord, which was the cause of the pain Aiden was experiencing. After a debulking surgery that lasted nearly 12 hours, he spent 7 days in the hospital healing from a surgery that would determine the type of mass he was dealing with.
Waiting for the results at home was crippling, but the results were in...Myxopapillary ependymoma with focal anaplastic features. This is a cancerous tumor that arises from the supportive tissue of the brain and spinal cord. This is an extremely rare case, as this type of cancer usually only has one mass, where Aiden has multiple. The location is the most difficult part, as it is essentially wrapped around his spinal cord.
And then...A plan was made. For the next 5-6 weeks, Aiden will undergo radiation at St. Louis Children's Hospital every Monday-Friday at 7:00AM along his spinal column and brain. After treatment has been completed, he will be monitored every 3 months with additional scans for the first year, followed by a yearly check-up with his oncologist to monitor the tumors and see how they react o the treatment.
We do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. We appreciate all the prayers for Aidan AND the family, and we appreciate all of the support. Aiden heads back to STL tomorrow morning for Day 2 of treatment. Leave below a little note of encouragement for him to let him know you are on Team Aiden!
