Jake takes on brain tumor
Jake is an energetic second grader who loves reading, gym and math. However, he and his family never expected that months of searching for the cause of his severe headaches would reveal a brain tumor.
Jake's pediatrician tested him for allergies, sinus infections, vision difficulties and dental complications, but nothing emerged as the cause of his pain. After months of tests, his doctor performed an MRI, which revealed a tumor on his brain stem.
“We couldn't believe it,” says Jake's dad, David. “It's like something you see on TV during those foundation telethons.”
Jake's dad and his mom, Debbie, were referred to Tadanori Tomita, MD, head of the division of Neurosurgery, director of the Falk Brain Tumor Center at Children's Memorial Hospital and Yeager Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery.
“Everyone we talked to, including our pediatrician and doctors at other children's hospitals claimed he was No. 1 or No. 2 in the world,” says David. “It was very clear that Children's Memorial had the best, and that's where we were going to take Jake,” says David.
Ten days after Jake was diagnosed he had surgery at Children's Memorial to remove the mass. Though not malignant, the location of the tumor caused paralysis of his right vocal cord, his eyes and entire left side of the body. He spent 26 days in the hospital and an additional 30 days in a rehabilitation center.
Jake isn't David and Debbie's only child who has been treated at Children's Memorial. Jake's twin sister, McKenna, was born with amniotic band syndrome, a set of congenital birth defects. Due to the condition, while in the womb, McKenna lost the end of her right index finger, as well as two other fingers on her right hand and the middle finger of her left hand. In addition, her right foot is smaller than her left due to constricted circulation. McKenna was treated by Frank Vicari, MD, attending physician in the division of Plastic Surgery. She endured five surgeries and intense physical therapy until she entered kindergarten.
Today, both McKenna and Jake are doing well. McKenna takes part in normal activities and she loves to play soccer. Jake continues his physical therapy at his home and school. He returns to Children's Memorial every three months for check-ups and to receive speech therapy and therapeutic treatments for remaining swallowing problems. Thanks to the expert care of Dr. Tomita and his medical team, 7-year-old Jake is on the road to recovery.
David, Debbie and their four children have been overwhelmed by the support of their friends and family. Virtually their every need has been taken care of while they have been at the hospital. Their community helped them by cooking meals, cleaning their home and even car-pooling their other children to school and various activities. To show their gratitude for the care Jake and McKenna received at Children's Memorial, David recently joined the hospital's Corporate Champions board.
“Between McKenna and Jake it was absolutely a must that I do this,” says David. “I'm going to try to find more people who can give to the hospital. We truly support the hospital and we want to do everything we can to give back.”
Children's Memorial Hospital seeks philanthropic funding to enhance its programs and services. As a proud partner of the Children's Miracle Network (CMN), all funds raised in the Chicago area through CMN also benefit Children's Memorial. To find out how your support can help the hospital better serve children and families, please contact the Children's Memorial Foundation at 773.880.4237 or Foundation@childrensmemorial.org.