Meet Aiden

We are so very grateful for the care Aiden received at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He had been dealing with headaches for a few months, while finishing up wrestling season and starting lacrosse. I had taken him to his pediatrician who didn’t see any issues, but something didn’t seem right to me. So I called his Ophthalmologist office at Nationwide Children’s, Dr. Lange. Leading up to the appointment he had developed multiple other symptoms rapidly such as, blurred vision, nausea, pain in different limbs, and vision going black when standing. The day of his appointment Dr. Lange sent us to the ER after she saw how large his optical nerves were. That is where we learned he had a large mass in his brain. 

He was admitted right away and that is when we met Dr. Leonard. Within two days he had brain surgery where the tumor was fully removed flawlessly by Dr. Leonard. 

Then began his recovery. All of the staff were so helpful and supportive, cheering him on every step of the way. Aiden would like to send a shoutout to Nurse Gavin! We learned that the tumor was a subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, a rare slow growing tumor most commonly associated with a genetic condition called tuberous sclerosis complex. After genetic testing they believe he is part of the 5% who do not carry this gene. Which can cause recurring tumors throughout any organ in his body. As a precaution they are completing scans on his other organs to make sure there are no additional tumors. 

We are a few months post-op now and his hair is really starting to grow back now, which he is very happy about. He is anxiously awaiting his clearance for his first year of middle school football, which we might receive in the coming weeks. Aiden is such a strong and resilient kid. Determined to be great at everything he does, including surviving a brain tumor. 

And to every doctor, nurse, therapist, and staff member who cared for Aiden and our family, thank you. Thank you for making one of the most traumatic times in our lives a little easier to walk through. Thank you for seeing more than his diagnosis, more than his scans, and more than the long days in the hospital. Most of all, thank you for helping us protect the boy he was before all of this began. The same goofy, stubborn, funny, strong-willed kid we knew and loved before the word “tumor” ever became part of our lives.

You helped take care of his body, but you also helped take care of his childhood. And for that, I will be forever grateful. ❤️