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At age two & a half, Phoebe’s family finally learned what had been afflicting her. She was diagnosed with a condition called Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma. Since age one, her parents had sought the advice of several specialists. None had not been able to pinpoint what exactly was afflicting Phoebe’s body. While it’s the kind of news no parents want to hear, it was somewhat of a relief to finally learn a name for what they were up against.
Phoebe always felt, for lack of better term, floppy in her parents’ arms. When most toddlers were holding themselves up starting to walk, Phoebe was slow to start walking, wasn’t developing muscle tone and moved with an unnatural clumsiness. She had very little appetite, often felt unwell with headaches and obvious discomfort. After a visit with family for the holidays, Phoebe was scheduled for her first MRI in hopes of finding the cause of her various ailments.
Becky, Phoebe’s Mom, describes the night before & her own personal discovery of her daughter’s condition:
                  Phoebe was in bed with us. I was giving her a head massage, it seemed to be the one thing to relax her. As I moved my hand around the base of her neck, I felt something. It didn’t feel like her head. This is my little girl, I know her head and this was not her “normal” head. I felt an electric shock go through my body, I imagine it must be what a gunshot feels like. I was sick to my stomach. I woke Phoebe’s father in a panic. I knew. I just knew.
Two days later, the attending doctor called, breaking normal protocol to deliver the news over the phone. Becky listened in shock as the words “cancer, brain, tumor, malignant” came across the line. Eventually, it was found that the growth was not malignant. However, her condition had caused large slow growing tumor on her brain. Originating at the brain stem, the tumor now covered 80% of Phoebe’s cerebellum, causing serious pain and developmental damage.
In her seven short years of life, Phoebe has had countless surgeries including 5 resections, or removals of mass from her brain, eye surgeries and various treatments dealing with subsequent complications from surgeries and infection. She survived swelling in her brain, staph infections, spinal fluid drains, endured IV antibiotic treatments and blood transfusions.  Still yet, Phoebe shows an enduring and resilient spirit throughout.
While Phoebe has grown into a strong, brave little girl, she is still daily living with the ramifications of the Astrocytoma. She shoulders her symptoms including difficulties with vision due to misalignment, a lack of coordinated balance, little or no appetite, low muscle development, occasional memory and cognitive lapses and headaches. Nerve damage resulting from surgery has caused palsy in her face, giving her the crooked smile one may associate with an elderly stroke victim.
A week in the life of Phoebe and Becky looks very different from the week in the life of most 1st graders at Avery Elementary. She has physical therapy each week and special therapeutic assistance through her school to help cope with her symptoms. Wise beyond her years, Phoebe is an impressive little girl, she is engaged, positive, kind to her classmates and absolutely loves her teacher and learning. 
Unfortunately, the cost of Phoebe’s medical care has far outstripped the insurance coverage and personal finances of her parents. Facing a new year, and a new deductible, Phoebe is scheduled for another eye surgery January 20th and will require further procedures in early 2012 in addition to the costs of her regular therapies.
Never knowing what the next day will bring in the life of this little girl, Becky and Phoebe focus on what matters most: friends, family and finding gratitude wherever it shows itself by grasping hold of the small wonderful things this life has brought them. Join us on January 20th in a night of fun & celebration to raise funds in honor of this inspiring, brave young family.