Journal entry by Rose MacCallum —
When I first updated on Facebook about The discovery of Madison’s tumor, many people reached out to us and wondered what led to the referral for an MRI.
It was a combination of symptoms.
It wasn’t until Madison’s developmental therapist and speech therapist noticed Madison walking very unsteady, not able to get up and down easily when sitting and standing, and overall looking stiff and unbalanced when walking. I myself noticed that when I would get Madison from her crib and stand her up she would take a few seconds to balance herself. Both therapists wanted to refer Madison for physical therapy consult and I agreed, but they did say it would take another month until the consult.
I was more concencered when Madison would wake up Ill. She would lay herself on the couch and appear lethargic. She would feel relieved after vomiting. This happened multiple times. I took her to the pediatrician and they said it was the flu or a virus going around the two times I took her in.
On Feb 5th Madison has her session with her developmental therapist. After the session her therapist texted me and recommended I take Madison to her pediatrician for Madison’s unsteady/stiff walking and head tilt. I made an appointment for the next day.
The next day Madison woke up with a fever and vomiting. I took her in for her appointment. They saw Madison walk and the pediatrician immediately called for a referral for Madison to get an MRI and to see the on call neurologist at Cardinal Glennon in St Louis. We checked in and neurology interviewed us for awhile asking about Madison’s symptoms. They also saw her walk and told us that she would be sedated for an MRI.
After Madison’s MRI, she was sleepy and laying in the hospital bed. We got her a peppa pig balloon and the nurse told us that Madison tested positive for the flu despite getting her flu shot :(
The ER doctor also came in the room and asked to talk doc Will and I. He took us to another room and told us that the MRI found a “mass” near her cerebellum.
I broke down and cried. He was unable to answer our questions but told us we would be going to the PICU and that neurosurgery would meet with us.
It was a combination of symptoms.
It wasn’t until Madison’s developmental therapist and speech therapist noticed Madison walking very unsteady, not able to get up and down easily when sitting and standing, and overall looking stiff and unbalanced when walking. I myself noticed that when I would get Madison from her crib and stand her up she would take a few seconds to balance herself. Both therapists wanted to refer Madison for physical therapy consult and I agreed, but they did say it would take another month until the consult.
I was more concencered when Madison would wake up Ill. She would lay herself on the couch and appear lethargic. She would feel relieved after vomiting. This happened multiple times. I took her to the pediatrician and they said it was the flu or a virus going around the two times I took her in.
On Feb 5th Madison has her session with her developmental therapist. After the session her therapist texted me and recommended I take Madison to her pediatrician for Madison’s unsteady/stiff walking and head tilt. I made an appointment for the next day.
The next day Madison woke up with a fever and vomiting. I took her in for her appointment. They saw Madison walk and the pediatrician immediately called for a referral for Madison to get an MRI and to see the on call neurologist at Cardinal Glennon in St Louis. We checked in and neurology interviewed us for awhile asking about Madison’s symptoms. They also saw her walk and told us that she would be sedated for an MRI.
After Madison’s MRI, she was sleepy and laying in the hospital bed. We got her a peppa pig balloon and the nurse told us that Madison tested positive for the flu despite getting her flu shot :(
The ER doctor also came in the room and asked to talk doc Will and I. He took us to another room and told us that the MRI found a “mass” near her cerebellum.
I broke down and cried. He was unable to answer our questions but told us we would be going to the PICU and that neurosurgery would meet with us.
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