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Joseph had experienced nausea, dizziness, double vision and sinus pressure for roughly 7 days prior. After over the counter sinus meds did not help, Christina took Joseph to his pediatrician & eye doctor whom directed us to MUSC Children’s Hospital.

After a “quick MRI”, Joseph was admitted with a golf ball sized brain tumor, and a temporary shunt was inserted into his head to relieve the brain pressure causing those above issues, the shunt helped greatly / MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Joseph had a sedated multi hour MRI to understand the full scope and size of the tumor. This was also to create a map & game plan for its removal.

Joseph rested in preparation for the brain surgery to remove the tumor the next day.

Christina and I kissed and hugged our beautiful son, and left him in the amazing neuro team and Gods hands for a 7 hour surgery. That evening our son returned with the amazing report of a very successfully procedure where the neuro team was able to completely remove the golf ball size tumor.

Joseph improved each day post surgery, eating more, and doing PT and OT in the room. Plus, he had awesome visit’s from his new friend Baskin a white lab whom came to lay in bed with Joseph.

Joseph was discharged from MUSC.

Joseph started and participated in outpatient PT and OT.

His care team presented the most likely next course of treatment would be the https://www.floridaproton.org/cancers-treated/pediatric-cancer/brain-tumors 

His tumor has been identified as Medulloblastoma

Tom Dennard worked to help secure housing for our family in JAX FL for the 6 weeks of anticipated treatments.

Joseph had his “port” placed for future sedation and chemo.  He then had a lumbar puncture so the spinal fluid could be analyzed for additional information to aid in the treatment plan. 

That night, the care team presented the lumbar results. They shared a more aggressive path was needed to cure Joseph and a clinical study/ trial called “Head Start 4” would be a better option to seriously consider. This path goes as follows:

1. 3 rounds of aggressive chemo @ MUSC (In Charleston)
2. Then the study tracks the option of ONE more round or THREE more rounds of Chemo
3. Then Stem Cell Study
4. Finally concluding with Proton Radiation (In JAX) at the end instead of the beginning as previously presented 

Joseph completed round two of chemotherapy.

Joseph completed round three of chemotherapy.

Bone Marrow harvest in late April only produced enough product for 1 transplant. Due to the product quantity for transplant, the parents and doctor team decided to leave the Head Start 4 study, BUT use it as a road map and assume he could have been randomized to 1 round.

Joseph started round 4 of chemo in May.

May 10 – Joseph had successful bone marrow transplant

May through June of 20201 Joseph recuperated inpatient at MUSC Children’s Hospital

Proton Therapy in Jacksonville FL. Joseph successfully completed 6 weeks of Proton Radiation Treatment on Sept. 3rd.

Sept 12, 2020 was Joseph’s original diagnosis date and as of Sept 13, 2021 Pediatric Medulloblastoma is officially in remission after a year of treatment!

MRI No Evidence of Disease.

Super Joe will have scans regularly to make sure he continues cancer free living.

Scheduled Route MRI & LP to ensure his system remains No Evidence of Disease.

Scheduled MRI was done – No Evidence of Disease continues to be great news!