***Please note that donations & tributes made to/via Caring Bridge DO NOT directly benefit the Rico family.
However, the donations do support this free resource to families.***
**UPDATED 9/28/2021**
Tanner finished chemo to treat his cancer in June 2021. The summer was filled with establishing a new DMD in CA, catching up on delayed DMD treatments, rebuilding his body, addressing side effects from chemo, getting fitted for a new wheelchair, and ongoing scans after chemo. Tanner also spent time this summer trying to catch up on missed school.
On 9/24/2021, the Ricos received the news that Tanner's cancer has returned. Two small tumors, farther up his spine, that at this time do not seem to need surgery. However, they are looking at 14 more months of aggressive chemo and radiation treatment.
********************
9/21/2020
Tanner's story began at birth. You can read more about his family, his sister's medical condition, and his first 15 years of battling Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) at
http://www.weelittlemanrico.comThis new part of Tanner's story began September 2020. Tanner started having increased pain in his back, muscle weakness and even more limited movement than he
previously had. His parents, Traci & Tony, worked diligently to figure out the source of the pain, sought all avenues of treatment to alleviate it and prevent it from getting worse. Despite all their efforts, the pain increased and extended into other areas of Tanner's body. Finally, a doctor was willing to hear them and agreed that he needed
immediate intervention and diagnostic testing.
DMD is a complicated and rare genetic disorder. Nothing is easy to medically treat and many treatments are counterintuitive. What usually "helps" a typical child could
negatively affect a DMD patient.
After arriving in the ER at midnight on Sept 11th, being admitted, and undergoing a slew of testing (after overcoming many hurdles), doctors discovered Tanner had a very large kidney stone. However, they discovered a secondary unknown source of pain as well in his spine. After much consulting between doctors on the best way to proceed with everything, the doctors were able to get the imagine that they needed to confirm the spinal pain. Tanner had a large tumor in his spine from the lowest part all the way to T12.
Within two days, a surgical plan was made between a neurosurgeon and DMD experts. On 9/17 Tanner underwent a 10-11 hour surgery to successfully remove 99%, if not all, of the tumor. Jesus is so faithful and good and has answered so many prayers through this difficult time.
Tanner's care as he battles Ewing's Sarcoma Cancer along with DMD will continue to be long-term (read months) & ongoing at the hospital. They will not be discharged any time soon. Both Traci & Tony are needed by his side 24/7 to help care for him. This also means that during this time, they are unable to work and have financial income. Please check out the "ways to help" tab for more
information.
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we now how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)
