Thea was a happy and healthy baby until she was 4-months-old and suddenly developed nystagmus, a wiggling of the eyes.  Within a week, she became lethargic and extremely irritable.  It became every parent's worst nightmare. An emergency CT scan revealed hydrocephalus and a large mass.  That day, Thea was transferred to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she would have 3 brain surgeries that first week.  They were able to remove about 50% of her tumor which was diagnosed as an optic glioma.  She then suffered a large stroke a few days later.

Thea is now a happy and energetic 3-year-old.  Over the last few years, she has endured countless procedures, 3 types of chemotherapy, therapies every day and several hospitalizations.  Through it all, she has managed to stay a bubbly little blond that puts a smile on everyone's face.  She'll sing and dance upon request and give you the biggest smile with a cute little scrunched up nose.  She makes this journey so much easier on us.  It's just unbelievable that a child that has to go through so much can still face the world with so much enthusiasm every day.

Thea completed her last chemotherapy protocol in May 2010.  Her last MRI in July 2010 showed some new growth and she is now facing another chemo protocol or surgery.  As hard as it is, at times, to see your child go through so much pain, we know that we will be able to get through it.  We enjoy the good times to the maximum since we are never sure how long it will last.  But it's those good times that get us through the hard ones.  We have learned to dance in the rain, and the snow, and the sleet.  And it's all because of our Thea.
 
Written by Trisha Danze, Thea’s Mother
07/10