Vinny was born in October of 2003. He was born with a severe Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate, and Pulmonary Stenosis (heart defect). After many surgeries and a few complications, Vinny was diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma on February 15, 2008.
On February 2, 2009 he was declared cancer free, and stayed cancer free for 9 months. RELAPSED 11/6/09 in the lung. RELAPSED for his 3rd battle in October 2011 in the orbit and sacrum. Relapsed 12/11/12 in spinal column.
After 4 years of several cleft-related surgeries, Vinny had a Velopharyngeal Flap surgery in October 2007 to help his speech. Two weeks ago Vinny developed what we thought was a sinus infection, ear infection, and severe Sleep Apnea, which we thought was a side effect from his last surgery. We made a few trips to the Pediatrician, ENT, and to our regular Craniofacial Team. After a scan test at the hospital and another surgery to take down the Velopharyngeal Flap, a tumor was found in the base of his skull, blocking his nasal passages. Part of the tumor was removed, and he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. On that Friday he had surgery again to insert his Portacath, and they did a spinal tap and bone marrow test to see if the cancer has spread to other places.
After 11 months of treatment, Vinny was Cancer Free for 9 months. Vinny relapsed in his lungs on 11/5/09. Relapsed again in the Orbit and Sacrum in November of 2011. He fought all 3 tumors, until August 2012, when after a false "end of life" scare, he was considered "stable" instead and was off of treatment, stable, for 4 months.
Vinny relapsed for a 4th time, in December 2012, with 5 new tumors in the Spinal Column. We have done our best to help him survive. The Oncologists have done all they could do. Vinny was sent home on Hospice on Dec. 21st, 2012. He earned his wings Feb. 18, 2013.
During our "Cancer Free" months, we formed a 501c3 Non-Profit Org. This Foundation is strictly for the other children on our Pediatric Oncology Ward at Brenner's Children's Hospital still fighting this battle.... not for Vinny. To view our website and find out more: www.kidsofchildhoodcancer.org (
http://www.kidsofchildhoodcancer.org)