Madison Walker Madison May Walker

 

In September of 2016 Madison's father, Riley, felt a lump on her stomach that had gone undetected at her 18 month wellness exam.  With Riley and Courtney's persistence, an ultrasound was scheduled, which detected two masses on her liver.  A catscan of her chest and abdomen was ordered and was scheduled to be done in November at the University of MN Masonic Childrens Hospital.

The trip to the hospital was long and silent.  Within an hour of the catscan being completed, their lives were forever changed.  Dr. Saltzman, Madison's pediatric surgeon, discovered a softball sized tumor in her liver. It was found that Madison has a rare form of liver cancer called hepatoblastoma.  He said this is curable.

The tumor was removed along with half of her liver and biopsied.  The prognosis is that Madison will require chemotherapy.  Her first day of chemo began December 5.  This will be a long and difficult journey. 

Riley and Courtney are handling this better than I had ever expected.  Madison is there life right now.  She is doing better than expected with her Chemotherapy however there is still a long road ahead of them.  They are overwhelmed with the support they have received from family, friends, and even strangers.  They have learned the hard way that each and every day with the ones you love is truly a gift. 

Through all this Madison has continued to grow into a precious, bubbly, affectionate little girl.   She loves Curious George, Daniel the Tiger, Mickey Mouse and her newest obsession throwing anything she can get her hands on over the railing from the living room down to the kitchen.  She loves to twirl and spin on her sit and spin.

I am Rileys aunt Donna.  I have been with them through this journey to help them with Madison and share the medical knowledge that I have acquired over the years to try to make this just a little easier to understand.  They have the support of many family members to help them through this difficult time. Riley and Courtney or myself will do our very best to keep this site updated.  Thank you for your continued support.

Madison May Walker is the daughter of Riley Frances Walker and Courtney Cossairt Walker.  Her maternal grandmother is Connie Cossairt.  Her Paternal grandparents are Dawn Newman and Frank Walker.