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15-year-old Travis developed a bad headache around mother’s day last year in the middle of the night. His mom says, “He was crying (which he never does). When the tylenol didn’t help , we took him to the emergency room where they did a cat-scan (expecting it to be a migraine) but instead found a pingpong ball size mass. He was then ambulance two hours away to children’s kaiser in Roseville where he had an MRI to confirm and was booked for a biopsy. After his brain biopsy surgery and recovery time we were sent home they perforated a membrane so the trapped fluid could escape). We were called a few weeks (month) later and informed of the cytoma diagnosis. We were then told we would be having brain surgery to try and reduce the mass (which is in the center of his brain). The surgery and recovery were grueling and we ended up needing another surgery to put a shunt in to help relieve the swelling of fluid. We were told he may lose/have compromised sight and mobility… When Travis came to he could only stay awake for a few minutes at a time and his vision was doubled so bad that he couldn’t watch tv or his phone. It was a long few weeks. But his mobility and vision came back (thanks be to god). He suffered a complication in that he lost the sensation of feeling hot/cold on the right side of his body (as well as sharp and dull). Travis recovered the rest of the summer and returned to school to start his freshman year on time. We received a call after his october mri that the tumor was growing again (they could not remove it all because it is in the center of his brain and would compromise major systems). So before Christmas, we started chemo. His first session was 10 weeks straight… Travis never complained (besides the fact that the flush taste makes him ill). Luckily he tolerates zofran well and doesn’t feel great but doesn’t get ill on chemo very often. We are now on 4 week on, 2 weeks off chemo for the rest of this year (and the beginning of next year). We should be finished with chemo (after his birthday next January)… our next MRI is in May. Travis has learned to do the MRI without any need to meds (to sleep) which is so hard to stay still for an hour straight. He has never once asked why me or complained. He just accepeted and moved on. He has undergone much more than many of us every will in our lifetime and yet keeps on like Dory.”

Courageous Travis loves playing minecraft, clash royale, and watching YouTube! He loves corny jokes and shooting hoops and playing catch with his brothers. Travis’ favorite food is pizza and his favorite place to go is always the beach. Travis has been accepted into the make a wish program and is looking forward to making his wishes.

His mom says, “NEGU has become a phrase of faith and hope for us. His siblings use it, his friends… we love seeing the videos everyday and being surprised by who is giving the messages. We also appreciate the puppy (MO) it makes Travis lol… and my kids enjoy the super sibling section… Mom and Dad really appreciate the prayer section led by DAD REES… for keeping our life faith centered as we travel this journey.” When asked about Jessie’s JoyJars, she says, “Travis has received one jar so far (in January for his birthday). He loved seeing all the goodies — his favorite was the whoopee cushion (he hopes to get another as the last popped) and he had many pranks with it. The yoyo and learning tricks were great for he and his siblings to share.”

TRAVIS, you are strong, Courageous and resilient!!! We NEGU for YOU!