Madyson D.
Madyson Grace is a wonderful little girl. In fact, to know Madyson, is to be entertained. She is clever beyond her schooling and she has the knack of making everyone she meets smile and laugh. On March 5, 2008, her world changed. On that faithful Wed, it was discovered that she had a brain tumor. It was not until March 7th, that the tumor was confirmed to us.
March 14th, found Madyson undergoing surgery for 1, a biopsy and 2, a shunt to relieve the hydrocephalus. Madyson has a stage 2 astrocytoma located across both sections of her thalamus and touching on the brain stem at the mid brain. Due to the nature of the tumor both surgery and radiation are not treatment options for her. The only treatment option remaining for her was an 18 month course of chemo. Complicating matters, her hydrocephalus caused Madyson to experience 2 shunt revisions; thus delaying her chemo treatment.
During the battle Maydson kept a countdown. This helped her focus upon the big picture and it kept her on track. Today, physically she is doing well. She is growing in height and in hair length. It is amazing that she has grown nearly 2 inches since her 2nd shunt surgery! Even though she has grown at a remarkable rate; she is still small for her age. As she says, "big things come in small packages!"
Madyson is a very loving girl. She is friends to all and has a 'never give up spirit'. I have watched her pour all her effort into either her cheerleading and or school work when things were not working out well for her. I must say she meets the challenges head on with grace and poise.
She is the bravest person I know.
– Story submitted by Madyson's father