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Eric’s Story

Site created on March 12, 2023

Welcome to Eric’s CaringBridge website! We are using it to keep family, friends & loved ones updated in one place regarding Eric’s journey with NF1 and brain cancer.

As you may or may not know, Eric has been an “NF Warrior” since birth. In addition to being diagnosed as an infant with Neurofibromatosis 1, he experienced a stroke-like episode in 2008 that resulted in a diagnosis of capillary telangiectasia and precipitated an essential tremor on his left side that he’s lived with ever since. In 2021 he began experiencing an issue blurred and doubled vision and as of January 2023, he has developed a slurring and stuttering of speech that brought us back to the the Neurological, Neurosurgery and Neuro-oncology specialists we’ve been seeing since moving back to the Bay Area.

Recent scans show an aggressive development of a brain tumor in his cerebellum, for which Eric had to undergo a biopsy on March 17th to ascertain more information about the pathology of the tumor. As of March 28th, 2023, Eric has been formally diagnosed with brain cancer, as the brain tumor that was biopsied on March 17th is malignant. Currently, we are waiting to learn more about any mutations that cells from brain tumor undergo, as Eric has lived with Neurofibromatosis 1 since birth and genetics have a significant impact in assessing what type of glioma (brain tumor) Eric has, it’s “grade” and therefore recommended treatment(s).

Thank you in advance for your support, prayers, positive thoughts and messages; they mean so much to Eric, Sabrina (me) and our families!

P.S Looking for ways to help? Please consider donating to our MealTrain to benefit medical bills; help order prepared meals & groceries —-> https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/o9de9d

(((((Please note: MealTrain donations & gift cards directly benefit the Rutkin Family, while “Tribute Donations” go directly to CaringBridge to maintain the website infrastructure.)))))

Newest Update

Journal entry by Eric & Sabrina Rutkin — 6 hours ago

Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Unfortunately his condition has declined greatly. Neurosurgery went back and forth and back and forth for hours on when to operate. Everything evolved rapidly and unexpectedly.

He’s now in surgery to relieve the pressure due to the hydrocephalus because it was becoming increasingly life-threatening.

From his most recent scans, they have confirmed that the tumor got bigger. Even after radiation.

At this time, this surgery is to give him additional time and improve his quality of life. However, they do not know anymore if they can remove any of the tumor and they do not appear to be able to stop it.

Please pray for Eric, harder and louder than you ever have before.

-Sabrina

Read More of the journal titled "May 04, 2024 - Please pray now."

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