I'm why you're here

Tanner

Tanner received 3 rounds of chemotherapy

Tanner, a 13 year old 7th grader at West Middle School, was diagnosed July 7, 1998 with a 4th ventricle posterior fossa Ependymoma.  He was 21 months old.  At the hands of Dr. Michael Handler, Tanner’s neurosurgeon, a complete surgical resection took place on July 9th, 1998.

Tanner spent 3 grueling weeks in the hospital recovering.  During that time, a VP shuntwas installed in his head to control his hydrocepahalous caused by the tumor. Tanner received 3 rounds of chemotherapy (at the guidance of Dr. Nick Foreman, Tanner’s neuro-oncologist). On February 13, 2001it was discovered that Tanner’s brain tumor had relapsed.  He had yet another complete surgical resection February 19th, 2001. He received 2 rounds of Tomodar (a type of oral chemotherapy) and received 33 rounds of radiation.

Unfortunately, once again, on May 17th, 2004 it was discovered that Tanner again relapsed. Another resection of the tumor was done on June 7th, 2004. After he recovered he received 3rounds of radiation therapy. Tanner served as Children’s Hospital Ambassador in 2004. He receives daily shots of growth hormone and monthly shots of Lupron. Tanner has MRI’s every 4 months, and has been in remission the past four years.

Tanner is a very loving boy and a true hero!

Thank you