Henry’s Story

Site created on February 8, 2024

Starting in January of 2024, Henry was experiencing persistent headaches. We thought it was from when he fell off his scooter at the end of December and followed many concussion protocols, but Henry’s headaches did not improve.

On Feb 6, 2024, Leah (Henry’s mom) noticed a new symptom Henry was having- tingling fingers. She knew in her momma gut that this wasn't right so she took him into the ER in Franklin, Tennessee for a CT scan. The results of the CT scan revealed a 6 cm (size of a healthy plum) tumor on the left side of Henry's brain. We were immediately told to go to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville (one of the best in the country).

On Feb 7, 2024, Henry was admitted to the Pediatric ICU at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville to continue monitoring him and discussing the necessary treatments and impending surgery.

On Feb 9, 2024, Henry had brain surgery and our amazing Neurosurgeon thinks he was able to get 100% of the tumor removed. Step one.

On Feb 15, 2024, we celebrated Henry's release from the hospital after 8 days in the ICU and 1 day in Pediatrics as well as Leah’s birthday. We also had a gut punch, we learned that the tumor was high-grade = cancer. There are more unknowns that lie ahead of us.

The week of February 19th, we learned that Henry’s vision was impacted, he developed double vision. He got glasses for the first time and looks forward to looking like his dad Tiny. We have 52 weeks of therapy ahead to strengthen his eyes as well.

We have a journey ahead for Henry to fully recover and we appreciate all your support and will post regular updates here when we can to further tell Henry’s story of his full recovery!

Newest Update

April 07, 2024

Journal entry by Tiny Irwin —

It’s been a minute since I’ve last posted, and I apologize. We’ve been in the thick of it lately. 

Henry is now 3 weeks into radiation and he’s absolutely crushing it! 

He’s just now starting to experience a bit of fatigue so we’re giving him lots of grace with school. 

He asked if we could start lifting weights so we joined the Y a few weeks back. He and I hit the gym almost every day after radiation. I’m continually impressed with his drive to take care of himself. He has given up sugar, reads ingredient labels and watches his carbs 🤣. 

We’re incredibly thankful for the community that has surrounded us during the journey! Our neighbors, friends, family, our church and the whiskey community has rallied around us and we’ve never felt alone. 

Leah’s parents were here for 2.5 weeks and were such a blessing! They shuttled Henry to radiation and therapy for two weeks! Not to mention the house projects and chores they kept up with. I don’t know how we would have made it without them!!

Please keep us in your prayers as we’re not through the thick of it yet. Three more weeks of radiation and all that goes with it.  

We’re so thankful for where we are in the journey and for those of you that have supported us in all the ways. 

We love y’all!
Tiny, Leah, Grayson and Henry


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