UPDATE: Little Michigan Man Needs Help
Friends,
Thank you for the outpouring of support and prayers for my son, Finneas. Many of you wanted me to provide an update so here it is:
Earlier this week, we heard the words knew were coming but still hoped never would. Finneas has been diagnosed with medullablastoma. It is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, with about 500 new cases in the US each year.
Next week, Finneas will begin a six-month treatment plan of chemotherapy, the goal of which is to cure his cancer. They will not be using radiation as he is too young. He will undergo numerous other procedures throughout to either assist the chemo or repair the damage is does (blood transfusions, spinal taps, bone marrow, etc.).
After getting to know Finn's oncology team at Children's Hospital in LA, we’re so thankful they will be the ones taking care of him. It's not just about getting him the right medicine, we’re learning there is so much more that goes into this, especially for a two-year old. So, many, many more hospital trips are, Lord willing, in our future.
The cure rate for this kind of cancer is roughly 60%, so we're trying to remain optimistic. Thank you again for everyone who reached out to offer encouragement, advice, past experiences, and love. This is a community built around a university we all love but I've been reminded that, from time to time, it's so much more.
Others asked how you could support us--our friends set up a GoFundMe page and if you would like, you can make use of it. [Mods, please feel free to delete or edit if this is not allowed and forgive me!] Thank you again and #goblue and #teamfinneas!
November 17th, 2022 at 11:12 PM ^
Fuck. That's gotta be devastating to hear. Being a parent is just one stress induced heart attack after another. Stay strong and take care of yourself too. Pulling for you big time.
November 18th, 2022 at 7:45 AM ^
Agreed that being a parent is one stress induced heart attack after another. But all my parenting traumas combined dont hold a candle to this. Your family is in my prayers, Reverend.
November 17th, 2022 at 11:16 PM ^
Important to know that many people have beaten cancer with much much smaller odds. I know that's hard to comprehend and logically swallow as it's your own child but 60% is an awful good chance and since he's so young I think you have more than enough merit to be positive about his outcome.
In my experience, positivity is everything in a battle like this.
Prayers to your family.
November 17th, 2022 at 11:23 PM ^
God bless, little man.
And prayers to your family.
Can't wait to see Finn dressed as a cancer survivor next Halloween.
November 17th, 2022 at 11:45 PM ^
Sending more good vibes to young Finneas, you & your family Reverend. I've gone thru cancer myself and it was always important to hear others just offer encouragement. So you got this, just keep getting up when you get knocked down, and we're all pulling for you to beat cancer once, twice, whatever it takes!
November 17th, 2022 at 11:49 PM ^
God Bless you and your family. While you're going through this and for as long as you need thereafter, we'll be here for you in the MGoCheering section.
November 18th, 2022 at 12:08 AM ^
Your 60% is going to 100%. Love to you all. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
November 18th, 2022 at 12:31 AM ^
If you haven’t already, I’d suggest a 2nd opinion at MD Anderson in Houston.
Cutting edge and even if not treated in Houston they can help design your son’s treatment program in consultation with your LA docs.
November 18th, 2022 at 3:35 AM ^
I’m entirely certain this post was made with the best intentions, but just out of curiosity, why MD Anderson for pediatric medullo treatment?
Don’t get me wrong, they’re a great institution, but so is CHLA. Why MD Anderson and not CHOP, Stanford, Boston Children’s, Hopkins, Cinci, Mott, St Jude, or any other top notch peds oncology facility?
November 18th, 2022 at 6:42 AM ^
MD Anderson and Memorial Sloan Kettering are the two most auspicious oncology centers in the country (at least for training, but I assume also for treatment). With the latter being in New York, MD Anderson would make more sense.
Not sure what they were thinking but that may be part of it.
November 18th, 2022 at 1:02 PM ^
Sure, they’re very good places, though one might quibble that the strength of their recognition is primarily based on their adult treatment/research and not pediatrics. It just seemed that the initial suggestion was based on some insider knowledge and less general institutional reputation.
RBJ, I can tell you that you’re at an excellent hospital. If I could gently add my two cents of unsolicited advice, find doctors you trust. Almost all top notch childrens hospitals will be part of COG (Childrens oncology group) and have access to similar clinical trials. St Jude is an outlier in that they’re big enough they generally do their own thing. Upfront medullo treatment has a fairly well defined standard of care. That being said, if you are interested in clinical trials, you can search clinicaltrials.gov to see if there are any single institution trials that are interesting to you. Your doctors should be happy to discuss any options you find there. Lastly, the internet is a weird place, I dunno if you’re someone who is prone to searching, but please make sure your sources are legit. The NCI has a very informative website that is well sourced and written for patients (as well as providers). If you search “NCI PDQ pediatric medulloblastoma patient version” you should find it. I’m not advocating to read that, everyone walks their own path as far as that sort of things go, I only mention it on the chance you were looking for resources.
will be thinking of you and your little Wolverine.
~a pediatric MGOncologist
November 18th, 2022 at 1:33 PM ^
I don't know if this is out of line to ask, but what's it like being a pediatric oncologist? I have to imagine it's incredibly rewarding, yet incredibly difficult.
November 18th, 2022 at 1:53 PM ^
Right on both accounts. It’s a unique and privileged situation to be with parents their kid on what is typically the worst day of their life (being told their child has cancer) and then take that journey with them. Generally, we do better treating kids than adults, so our successes are AWESOME, just awesome. People always ask that question though, and the truth is, even when it sucks and even when it’s hard, I still want to help people through those times. If I had gone into a different field of medicine (or engineering or plumbing or business, for that matter), those same kids would still be getting sick and in need of caring doctors and I felt like maybe I could help them and also do some research to help even more kids. You know what’s the best though, is getting updates from former patients. I got an email a couple months ago from a former patient I treated as a teenager who is now married and just had his first kid. That sort of thing makes the sacrifices worth it and helps me through the harder times.
thank you for coming to my TEDtalk :)
November 18th, 2022 at 2:08 PM ^
That's amazing! I appreciate your effort and it sounds like your patients do too. I have a couple of engineering degrees from Michigan and ended up working in coatings, which is so much lower stakes. I was working on Corvette paint out of school, and I'll always remember what a 30+ year veteran told me when I was freaking out as a fresh chemist out of school: it's just paint and no matter what you do wrong, nobody will get hurt. The world is a better place because people like you take the responsibility of helping others in such high-stakes situations; people like me certainly couldn't!
November 18th, 2022 at 4:14 PM ^
To RBJ--Fingers Crossed for Finneas and your family.
I survived a medulloblastoma (as an adult--a relative rarity) and it sucked, but I am still here 20 years later. My neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic was the head of Pediatric Neurology. The first year i saw him, it was before he was seeing patients in the adult cancer center and I went to his Pedes office. Seeing all the little kids with scarred bald heads was just heartbreaking. I don't think I could work in that environment.
I had radiation but no chemo; while both suck, for Brain/Spine radiation, they create a form fitting latex mesh mask and bolt your head down to the table for 30 minutes while they do the treatments. I am glad your son won't have to go through that.
November 18th, 2022 at 10:02 AM ^
Dana-Farber in Boston and St. Jude in Memphis are nationally ranked #1 and #2 for pediatric cancer. CS Mott is top 12.
There are a number of excellent choices out there and Anderson is one of them.
November 18th, 2022 at 12:45 AM ^
My son is two and couldn't imagine navigating this. Good luck on the rough journey.
November 18th, 2022 at 6:29 AM ^
I hope for the best!
November 18th, 2022 at 6:38 AM ^
Damn fine looking Holstein, young Finneas!! So, your team enters the battle as the favorite. This fight will be tough, it will be trying, it will be life changing. I love hearing your confidence in the med team...they will be your family during the fight and likely beyond. I am placing my bet on team Finneas to win. Thoughts and prayers to all on his team, but especially to the little guy.
November 18th, 2022 at 7:58 AM ^
Well, RBJ, I am hoping and praying for your family, especially Finn. 60% of the time it works every time. You and the strong man Finn got this. That little Michigan Man is going to do what the team will do in Columbus next week, obliterate cancers ass! Prayers up Finn!
November 18th, 2022 at 8:07 AM ^
Praying for Finneas and your family. Go Blue.
November 18th, 2022 at 8:48 AM ^
Donated. I have three little boys myself and can't imagine what you and him are going through now. I hope everything goes well and keep us updated. MgoBlog community donate donate donate!
November 18th, 2022 at 9:02 AM ^
Prayers for your little man and your family.
A good reminder for all of us to not take our health for granted and to enjoy every moment that we can.
November 18th, 2022 at 9:12 AM ^
Your son’s strength comes from having dedicated and loving parents and supporters like you. My prayer is for a full recovery and that you all come through this gauntlet stronger than ever.
Go Blue. Better yet, Go Beat the Crap Out of This Cancer, Finn.
November 18th, 2022 at 9:25 AM ^
Pastor - we're praying for you in SW MI. We had a prayer specifically for Finneas and your family at Bible class on Sunday. There were many there who know you and are also praying for you.
May Jesus bring peace to you and your family. Our loving Heavenly Father has you in his hands, directing the decisions of the doctors and working through them as Finneas is treated, and will bring an outcome that matches his perfect will. To God be the glory!
November 18th, 2022 at 9:42 AM ^
I'm so sorry man. I don't have good words for things like this, but know that I am praying for you all. My donation doesn't seem like much, but I hope it helps. The Lord be with you, my brother.
November 18th, 2022 at 9:44 AM ^
Go Go Go, Finn and Fam!!!!!!!
November 18th, 2022 at 9:52 AM ^
Wishing you and Finneas strength - and hope. God Bless you, hang in there...
Go Blue!
November 18th, 2022 at 9:58 AM ^
All the positive vibes I have coming your way from San Francisco, Go Finneas and beat that tumor!
November 18th, 2022 at 10:51 AM ^
Praying for your Finn and your family. I understand what you're going through, when my daughter was 3 she was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called astroblastoma. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate through this.
November 18th, 2022 at 11:04 AM ^
Prayers up to you, Finneas and the entire family. And prayers up to the doctors and medical care team. You're all in this together.
November 18th, 2022 at 11:16 AM ^
Keep that kid happy and distracted and enjoying every moment he can.. despite what will be a touch few months. Hoping for the best for you.
November 18th, 2022 at 11:18 AM ^
Donated. Good luck to Finneas in his fight, and best wishes to your family.
November 18th, 2022 at 11:51 AM ^
The Lord bless Finneas and keep him; the Lord make His face shine upon Finneas, and be gracious to him; the Lord lift up His countenance upon your son, and give him peace.
November 18th, 2022 at 12:23 PM ^
I'm so sorry.
But know that you are loved and held in the hearts of many.
All love and support to Finneas and Fam!
Go Blue.
November 18th, 2022 at 12:32 PM ^
Your boy dressed as a (cow/dalmatian?) (and you) is among the cutest things I've ever seen. I wish him the best of luck with his treatment and I know those of us 2000 miles away in AA wish you the same. We're aiming the money cannon your way.
November 18th, 2022 at 12:54 PM ^
Wishing you and your family all of the best from our home with two little Michigan Men as well, words come up miserably short but I echo all of the sentiments here in sending all of the positive vibes and thoughts we possibly can your way! God bless and Go Blue!
November 18th, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
So very sorry to hear, and I know the journey is going to be tough. But when I see those pictures, I see a loving family that is going to tackle this together, and I'm confident that cancer doesn't stand a chance against that.
I donated and am sending all the best wishes in the fight ahead--please do keep us updated. <3
November 18th, 2022 at 2:19 PM ^
Hopes and prayers for your son and your whole family.
November 18th, 2022 at 3:02 PM ^
Prayers to your son and your family.
November 18th, 2022 at 5:55 PM ^
"Don't worry Dad, I got this" Finneas