Patient of the Month - August 2010
Coco
7 years old
Diagnosis:
In spring 2009, Coco was found to have medulloblastoma, a brain tumor.
Coco's Story:
Coco was enjoying a beautiful spring day in the park with her three siblings and her mom, Robbi. Suddenly, she fell from the monkey bars and screamed out in pain. Coco told her mother her neck and back hurt, and then, with growing fear, Robbi saw Coco's eyes roll back in her head.
She dialed 911 and an ambulance rushed Coco to the nearest children's hospital, where doctors performed a CT scan of Coco's head. She was free from injury from the fall, but the scan revealed something the family never would have expected. There was a cancerous tumor growing in the little girl's brain. Coco had emergency surgery to remove the tumor, and then was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for treatment.
At St. Jude:
At St. Jude, doctors diagnosed Coco with medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain tumor. She began a protocol of radiation, followed by chemotherapy. Robbi has found encouragement from the family-centered care offered at St. Jude. "The doctors and nurses are very supportive here," she said. "No matter what's bothering you, someone is there to help you and explain things."
Coco's family is grateful for the donors who help support St. Jude. "St. Jude told me, 'let that be your last worry. The only thing you need to be worried about is getting Coco better,'" Robbi said. "It lifted a burden from me."
Today, Coco is doing well. She returns to St. Jude every few months for checkups. She likes playing board games and watching movies.
August 2010
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