Liam

The "Monster" Appears

Liam was just 14 months old when he was diagnosed with ATRT. Leading up to that day, he had started vomiting and losing a significant amount of weight. His pediatrician initially suspected a feeding disorder, which was difficult to understand because Liam had always loved eating so much.

In early July 2025, he was hospitalized for weight loss, but after a brief improvement, the symptoms returned even more severely. He went back to the hospital, where doctors again suspected a feeding disorder. However, due to neurological abnormalities, they decided to perform an MRI on August 27, 2025. That was when the “monster” appeared—a 3x4cm tumor located between the brainstem and the cerebellum.

A Difficult Path to Recovery

On August 28, a spinal MRI confirmed there were no metastases. On August 29, Liam underwent surgery, which unfortunately did not go well. Liam almost died twice during the operation and was placed in an induced coma for more than two weeks afterward. During this time, he suffered a stroke in the cerebellum and had to relearn everything from the beginning.

Beating the Odds

Liam began chemotherapy on September 29, 2025, and his progress has been nothing short of miraculous. By late October, scans showed that the stroke had regressed and—most importantly—the tumor was completely gone. This was confirmed by the clinic in Augsburg, where Dr. Frühwald reviewed the scans and examined his cerebrospinal fluid. The MRI performed between chemotherapy cycles also showed no metastases anywhere in his body.

He has since received more incredible news: a follow-up MRI in mid-December was unremarkable, showing that the scar tissue where the tumor once was has decreased and his ventricles are slowly returning to normal size.

Where Liam is Now

As of January 2026, Liam is a TYR-subtype warrior who continues to amaze us every single day. He has already completed his 8th round of chemotherapy, and is tolerating the treatment incredibly well with very few side effects. Best of all, Liam is catching up and reclaiming his milestones! He can sit on his own again, has started eating, and, with a little help, is trying to crawl and stand once more.

Liam is currently preparing for his final round of chemotherapy, which will be followed by 30 sessions of radiation therapy in Heidelberg. His family shares, “We are so grateful that Liam is doing better and that we can be home during breaks to live a somewhat ‘normal’ life.”