15-year-old DVHS student with brain tumor needs our help!!!

8/12/19 UPDATE!

Dom is doing well at inpatient rehab here at Children's. They are so amazing here and we are so blessed to have this facility so close!

We aren't sure when we will get to go home, but he has said that although he doesn't like being in the hospital, he is happy that he is here because everyone is so friendly and they make us feel so comfortable and cared for.

Thank you all for your continued support. We feel the love!

On Saturday night, Dom was moved out of ICU, to a different floor. This has been a very positive change for him. Finally, he is eating little bites of food, and seems to be feeling a little more himself The first 2-3 days after surgery, he was really depressed.

He will need to go to rehab after he leaves the surgical floor. It looks like this will be a long journey, and we really don't yet know when he will be able to return home. The doctors are planning for at least 1-2 weeks of in-patient rehab to address his mobility issues. Both his right arm, and right leg are affected.

Again- thank you for all of your support- I am so encouraged by all of the love we have been shown through this. THANK YOU!!

Dom went through 10 hours of surgery yesterday. They were able to get some of the tumor, but not all of it. It is integrated into his brain stem. The doctor could not tell where the tumor ended, and his brain stem began. As they shaved pieces of the tumor, they would check his sensory monitors. The minute there was a change, they stopped. It was his right arm that showed change. We are hoping for restoration of a deficit in sensory ability.

Now that he is awake and exhibiting signs of his amazing sense of humor, we are thrilled! He has already shushed me more than once! Thank you for your continued support through this challenging time- you are all so appreciated!