Xaivore Strong

Meet Xaivore

This post is titled "Xaivore Strong" because Xaivore is just that.....one of the strongest people that I know.

This all started back in August.  Like the rest of us, Xaivore was ready and excited to start a brand new school year.  He was going to be in second grade!!! But, a damper was put on all of the excitement when his whole family came down with the flu during that first week of school. They all had the same symptoms....you know how it is. Everyone is weak, tired, throwing up and feeling achy.  That's when Xaivore started complaining of his head hurting. Well, no one really thought much of that....everyone's head was pounding. They were just SICK. You tough it out a couple of days, get better and go on with things.  That's how it goes. That's what we all do. And, that's what THEY did.  Well, all of them...except Xaivore.

Xaivore's head was still hurting. But, everyone else had gone back to school and work so, Xaivore decided to give it a try. Now, I told you before. Xaivore is a very strong little boy. He's NOT a complainer. He's a "go with the flow" kinda kid. So, although his head was really hurting him, he was toughing it out. But, Xaivore ended up getting sick at school. His parents came and got him. Maybe he wasn't quite over the flu yet. That's what everyone thought.

But, Xaivore's headaches just wouldn't let up and he wanted to sleep all the time. His family began to think that maybe he was suffering from migraines.  So, on August 26, 2013, they took him to his pediatrician. The doctor noticed that Xaivore's coordination was a little off. So, an MRI was scheduled for the next day.  Just seven minutes into the MRI, Xaivore's Mom was told that he had a brain tumor and they would need to operate the next day.

I just cannot imagine. Think about getting that news. You think you have a healthy kid....a kid with the flu....a kid who's having migraines........you're child has a brain tumor the size of a baseball. He has cancer. He will be having brain surgery tomorrow. The immediate, urgent and life changing decisions that had to be made are just incomprehensible.  And, where was Xaivore's Dad during this?? He was in California for work.

The next morning, Xaivore was admitted at 8:00 AM for his surgery. His Dad flew home from California on the next available flight and made it to the hospital just as they were wheeling Xaivore into surgery. He got to see, hug and kiss, and tell his baby boy that he loved him.  A parent's worst nightmare. So many unknowns. Just utterly terrifying.

Xaivore's surgery lasted 11.5 hours. They were able to remove 99% of the tumor. It was discovered that the tumor was a WHO grade IV medulloblastoma. You can read more about it HERE.

They were told that he would have to endure 55 weeks of treatment.  First, was 6 weeks of radiation that successfully shrank the remaining tumor. He is now currently undergoing a 3 cycle multi regiment Chemotherapy process. He has an MRI and lumbar puncture every 3 months for the first year, then every 6 months for second year, then once a year for the rest of his life.

After the surgery, Xaivore had to learn to walk again. He now has eye problems and has double vision that he has to take muscle relaxers for. Through this whole long, hard process he has also acquired some learning disabilities.

Through it all, Xaivore continues to come to school every day with a smile on his face. That's all he wants......to be a kid.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because I'm hoping that by sharing this story with you, that maybe you will want to help.

I have put together a little fundraiser along with my friends at Blog Hoppin'.  Xaivore's medical bills are mounting. His procedures and treatments are extremely expensive and there's more to come.

The bundle has 19 products that will help get you through the end of the year :) If you don't teach K-2, you could still donate and give the pack to someone that you teaches at your school.

Click on the picture to check out the preview. Each picture in the preview is clickable so you will be able to see exactly what you are getting.

My friends at Blog Hoppin' are some EXTREMELY generous ladies!!!!  This bundle is valued at $120!!!!!! You can grab this awesomely phenomenal pack for only $25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you will consider donating!!

Thank you all so, so very much!!!!!