Magdalena Grace Kutz Hegman Magda Hegman

Magdalena Grace Kutz Hegman is a super fantastic 9 year girl living in Northern Wisconsin with her mom Meghan, dad Josh, 3 little sisters (Lucy (almost 7), Frankie (4), Evangelina (2)  and four fish.  She is in 3rd grade. She loves to read, bike, ski, draw, and write stories about a mermaid named Ophelia Finn. 

In February 2021, she had two episodes of severe headache and vomiting. She saw her doctor who ordered an MRI of the brain and an ophthalmology evaluation. On  March 12th, she was found to have papilledema, or swelling of the optic nerves. This is generally found with increased intracranial pressure.  An MRI was done urgently and she was found to have an 8cm tumor in the posterior fossa (back of the brain) that was causing hydrocephalus.

She was rushed that day to Minnesota Children's Hospital where she had emergent surgery to place an external ventricular drain into the brain that night.  

She was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, and surgery to remove the mass was on March 16th.  Pathology confirmed a low grade pilocytic astrocytoma, which is fantastic news, as this type of tumor is considered cured if completely removed. 

However, surgery has its own complications and challenges-this is the area of the brain that controls coordination and balance. We don't know yet how this will affect her long term.  What we do know is that she is where she needs to be.   

We have been so blessed to have so much encouragement and support-thank you!