Diagnosis

Less than 2 weeks after her 3rd birthday (March 9th), Aleysia was brought in to the ER at Children's hospital because she'd been complaining of headaches and had begun to projectile vomit. After being dismissed before as "probably nothing wrong" Aleysia's mom pushed for them to rule out why she kept complaining of headaches.

An MRI was done and a mass was found in her brain. She also had hydrocephalus because the tumor was blocking the proper flow of the the cerebral fluid in her brain and so it was building up and causing pressure and headaches. She had immediate surgery to place a temporary drain in her skull where the excess fluid was able to drain.

On Friday, March 22, 2013 her neurosurgeon at Children's Hospital of Michigan successfully removed the entire tumor from her brain without compromising her neuro-function! She came out of surgery telling the nurses she needed her lip gloss and giving orders! :-)

The surgeon hadn't even been sure that he would even be able to get the entire tumor out (but look at God!) He actually told her parents that if it was the tumor he suspected (Pineoblastoma) that he probably wouldn't be able to get it all out!

Pathology on the type of cancer was confirmed on Wednesday as in fact being Pineoblastoma. On Thursday, March 28th 2013 the temporary drain was pulled and a follow up CT scan on Friday showed that there were no signs of the hydrocephalus and the fluid was again draining properly!

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013 Aleysia will have a spinal MRI scan and lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check to see if the cancer has spread to her spinal region or in her spinal fluid. We are PRAYING PRAYING PRAYING for these results to be CLEAR! She will also have her central line/port surgically placed in preparation for her chemotherapy treatments.

She is in for a tough FIGHT! But she is a fighter and we will BEAT THIS CANCER!!! Thank you for your prayers and wishes for Aleysia as she prepares for battle!