Damn Cancer – Pennies for Peyton

Diagnosis:

July 28, 2010 will always be the day our lives changed. My 10 yr. old daughter had been seeing a pediatrician, orthopedic doctor and physical therapist for 9 months being told she had growing pains, weak muscles and a pinched nerve. It was only after my arguing with them for months and threatening to take my business somewhere else when they finally did an MRI. The MRI found a tumor larger than a softball taking up the right side of Peyton’s pelvis and going up her spine.

Treatment:

Because of where Peyton’s tumor was located, she was not able to have surgery or regular radiation. Peyton had 6 intense rounds of chemotherapy at the Children’s Hospital of Minnesota – Minneapolis. We then went out to Philadelphia where she had a specialized radiation called Proton Beam radiation. This was done at U Penn where Peyton had 37 rounds of Proton Beam radiation. While in Philadelphia she also had 4 more rounds of chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. We then came back to Minneapolis for Peyton to have 4 more rounds of chemotherapy back at Children’s Hospital of Minnesota – Minneapolis.

She has continued to have MRIs, CT scans, Bone scans, X-Rays, Echo’s, etc. quarterly since chemotherapy has ended. During one of those MRIs it was noticed that where part of her tumor was in her spine was collapsed due to the radiation.

Another Obstacle for Peyton:

Where her spine was collapsed the doctors first decided to monitor the collapse to see if it would affect Peyton’s spine. It was quickly observed that she was starting to develop a scoliosis type curve in her spine. The degree at first wasn’t too bad so they weren’t too worried. Unfortunately the curve has continued to get worse and now it is to a point where surgery is needed.

Surgery:

Peyton will need to have 3 intense surgeries in 3 days. This is a lot for anyone to endure, especially a 13 yr. old girl! Her 1st surgery will involve going in through her front underneath her lower rib so they can remove the collapsed piece in her spine (L5). Her 2nd surgery will be removing about a 6 inch piece of her fibula to use to create a new L5. Her 3rd surgery will involve going through her back to place the newly created L5, add some pins and rods. She will be in the hospital at least a week and then off school at least another 2 weeks after that to heal before attempting to go back to school.

After all the surgeries, Peyton will not be able to do any activity other than sitting, standing, walking and laying down for 6-9 months. This would be hard for any 13 yr. old. It will be especially hard for Peyton since she is a basketball and baseball player.

Expenses:

The expense of these surgeries will be no less than $300,000.00 probably closer to $500,000.00. Even with insurance, my out of pocket expenses will be around $75,000.00, which is like saying $1,000,000.00 to a single parent like me. These expenses will include deductible, coinsurance, non-covered medical, travel, rehab, etc. Any donations would be greatly appreciated as they all add up.

Thank you for any and all donations as they will be used for expenses for Peyton’s 3 surgeries and rehabilitation.