Gage

It was the summer of 2018 when what seemed like a minor illness turned into something no parent could ever imagine….

Gage was experiencing unusual sleepiness, unable to stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time. His pediatrician directed them to Children’s Hospital, where initial suspicions leaned towards Lyme disease or meningitis. To rule out the "big things," a neurologist ordered a CT scan of his brain.

A team of doctors walked in with a printout from the CT scan.

“Your son has a large mass.” A day his family will never forget. August 7, 2018.

"I can’t even describe the shock and sadness. Like a knife stabbing you over and over again on the heart. You never in a million years think this would happen to your child."

Gage was diagnosed with Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT), a very rare and aggressive brain cancer of the central nervous system.

It was the “big things”.

Gage bravely underwent a 10-hour brain surgery, followed the ACNS0333 protocol, an aggressive regimen of high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. 

Unfortunately, he relapsed in late 2019, requiring another six weeks of radiation and an additional eight months of chemotherapy. 

His last treatment ended in October 2020, and thankfully, he has had no evidence of disease since that time.

Shortly after completing his cancer treatment, Gage was diagnosed with epilepsy, a direct result of his previous brain surgeries. His seizures became uncontrolled, leading to a significant decision in October 2022. Gage underwent a hemispherectomy, a procedure where most of the left side of his brain was removed. Since that life-changing surgery, he hasn't had a single seizure!

Now, as we head into the summer of 2025, Gage is 9 years old and doing absolutely fabulous! He'll be in 3rd grade this August and LOVES school more than anything. He's a happy boy and the sweetest in the world; he just loves life.

Gage enjoys camping, riding on the golf cart, playing with friends, and playing the drums. He even LOVES going to his daily therapies, which consist of PT, OT, and Speech. He's definitely a miracle child who loves his family so much and is truly loved by everyone.

Follow Gage on Facebook: Team Gage