Truly had a seizure on Easter, April 17, 2022, she was five years old. She was rushed to the local ER then transported to another hospital for further scans. They found some abnormalities and sent Truly to yet another hospital. 

That is where we got the news. Truly not only was diagnosed with the most aggressive sub type of medulloblastoma but that it had metastasized in three spots in her spine. It was also all over the lining of the left side of her brain. She would be going into surgery early that next morning to remove what they could from her brain.

We then ended up at another hospital to to do 30 rounds of chemo and proton therapy together. They said that they had seen great results doing both chemo and proton together with Truly's specific subtype. 

The doctor there said that he has never seen a patient with "this much disease" and look, act, talk, walk normal. She was completely normal. This specific hospital sees a lot of brain tumor patients....it's kind of their specialty. 

They were even more shocked to find that she didn't have any weakening after her brain surgery.  Or that she didn't have to relearn how to walk, talk, eat after her brain surgery. She was just as strong and coordinated as she ever was. They called several doctors in to look at her because they were just amazed at her.

Truly completed the chemo and proton therapy like a champ. They told us that she may not be able to walk towards the end of the 30 treatments because one chemo that was given causes neuropathy and drop foot...and even if she could walk she wouldn't want to. Truly never stopped walking/running. 

We were told that Truly would be on an anti seizure medication for the rest of her life. We didn't feel like she needed it so more doctors evaluated her, talked with us, and agreed. She never took it again.

We ended back at the third hospital for four day stays every month, for six months.

In February 2023, after her end of treatment MRI, the doctor told us that he had to call the radiologist to make sure that what he WASN'T seeing on her scans was real. He was "pleasantly surprised" by how much disease was gone. Truly also got the go ahead to remove her feeding tube.

We were told by many Healthcare professionals and doctors "whatever you're doing, keep doing it!"

Truly's next scan was in May 2023. Her scans were clear. The doctor said that they were "excellent" and "we couldn't have hoped for anything better" Her hair was starting to grow back and she was finally able to enjoy her summer. Truly was so excited to finally start kindergarten.

In mid September Truly had another scan. It was back and they diagnosed her with hydrocephalus. However, they didn't want to put a shunt in, due to the belief that her brain would have massive bleeding.

Truly moved home to heaven on October 18th, 2023. She was 6 years old. 

There was not one day, during all of this, that Truly ever said that she didn't feel well. Her days were not filled with vomiting and headaches, although she did have some throughout this journey. She didn't need braces or hearing aids, or glasses. She is "Truly a miracle". 

God helped us all along the way. He showed up in the big and in the little things. Even in death, I have the promise of seeing Truly again, because of God's love. (John 3:16)(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). People may think that God didn't show up for us because Truly died. But the Bible says, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 corinthian 5:8) I can't think of a better place to be. Healed and whole, in heaven.

God is good, even when life isn't. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble; but have courage, I have overcome the world."

(John 16:33)

In the end, we all will die earthly deaths (if Jesus tarries). To die is gain, for the believer. (Philippians 1:21) You see, Truly still won!

Be strong and courageous, miracles happen everyday! Seek Jesus, never give up, and keep expecting your miracle.

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.