Mick: A Childhood On Hold

Mick is your typical three-year-old with a love of cars and playing in the dirt. But one day, he started experiencing a severe headache. A week later, the headaches still hadn’t gone away.

After numerous hospital visits, an MRI in February 2024 confirmed his parents’ worst nightmare: Mick had multiple inoperable tumors in his brain and spine. Because they were growing so fast and causing seizures, his doctors started him on emergency chemotherapy right away.

With a diagnosis of group 3 medulloblastoma, Mick’s childhood was abruptly put on hold.

Carefree days – once filled with hide and seek, swimming and riding his scooter – are now filled with hospital visits and medical treatments. Mick has been unable to walk since his diagnosis, and his three sisters, whom he adores, miss their brother’s playful spirit at home.

Mick has been living in the hospital since his diagnosis, only able to go home for short stays. His mom Alison, who is in the hospital with him, speaks of the guilt that weighs heavily on her heart. “It’s so hard trying to be in two places at once mentally. I feel guilt that I’m missing out on so much time with my other kids, but I also know that I need to be here for Mick.” This internal conflict is a testament to the emotional complexity of their situation. Their father drives back and forth daily, striving to maintain a semblance of normalcy for their daughters, while also being there for Mick and his wife.

“Taking it one day at a time and putting a smile on our face while we’re crying inside has been so hard,” adds Alison. “We are trying not to worry about the ‘what ifs’ and instead celebrate small victories.”

Mick’s recent scan showed significant improvement, but Alison acknowledges they still have a long journey ahead of them.

They are finding solace in connecting with other families who have faced a similar situation, and his mom shared that the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation community has helped remind her that miracles do happen.

While Mick’s resilience inspires his parents daily, Alison wishes her son could just be a kid again:

“Children should not have to go through this disease and its treatments. You only get one childhood, and it hurts my heart to know that my son’s got taken away.” 

Every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy childhood freely and live life without limits. When you donate to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation today, you’ll accelerate the development of more effective treatments for kids like Mick and provide families with the support they need to navigate the road ahead.