On Monday, September 14, John experienced abdominal pain. After trying to ease it through over-the-counter meds, it persisted. His mother suggested he have it checked out with his general practitioner to be on the safe side. On Wednesday, September 16, after a CAT scan, x-ray and MRI, a 4” tumor was discovered wrapped in and around the lower part of his spine. Due to the size and location of the tumor, John was immediately referred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The initial diagnosis is possible Chordoma cancer. In basic terms, Chordoma is a rare bone cancer that usually attacks the spine (sacrum) or base of the skull (cranial). Only one in one million people are diagnosed per year, and usually they are between the ages of 40 – 60. Until the tumor is removed, we will not know the actual diagnosis or malignancy. However, currently the focus is on removing the tumor – how to best remove it and how it will affect his body long term.
