Karing For Keegan
Posted on | June 8, 2010 | No Comments
I’ve mentioned here several times how blessed I feel that Madison has had relatively easy medical problems. There are no words for how grateful we are that she has received such wonderful care at no cost to us. We realize that puts us in the minority of families with medical illnesses.
So that brings me to The Chupp Family. Beth & I started talking back on our days on the bump and eventually we started keeping up with each other on our blogs. Our kids are TWO days apart. I would read a post of hers about how her son, Keegan, had to go to the doctor again and that very same day she would be asking me how Madison was doing and telling me what a great mother I am for taking such good care of Madison. She is truly a completely selfless woman.
Here is Beth & Keegan’s story….
Keegan Thomas Chupp was born September 23rd, 2009, six weeks premature. Immediately upon birth the doctor knew something was not right. His head measured off the charts and he had extra fingers and an extra toe. Within hours they were running blood test upon blood test. They found he had a stroke in utero and we already knew of the extra gallbladder pre-birth. Before leaving the NICU on October 6th, we had multiple CT’s, an MRI and an EEG. We were discharged with an appointment at Riley Hospital for Children almost immediately.
On Friday October 9th we were scheduled to see a neurogeneticist named Laurence Walsh. Upon consulting with Dr. Walsh, we learned our baby had an overgrowth syndrome. They thought at the time it was Simpson-Golobi-Behmel. We left his office feeling very defeated but trudged through the first months of parenthood like any normal couple.
Keegan was monitored with CT’s, quarterly blood draws for AFP (Alpha Fetal Protein) levels which measure for different cancers and MRI’s . By January; at his 4 month appointment we thought we were in the clear. Our Pediatrician measured his head it was in the upper 40’s but not too worried at that point. We continued to get CT’s and blood draws for the AFP levels, his levels did finally come down to a normal range.
On March 29, 2010 we went for Keegan 6 month appointment and found his head was all the way up to 53 cm in circumference. Our Pediatrician became concerned and ordered a new set of blood work and CT’s. We were then also scheduled to see many specialists in the coming months.
On April 8th we went and had the CT that started our whole nightmare. I got a call only hours after the test; he had fluid on the brain, not exactly what we were expecting at all! We thought we would go in like EVERY other time and it come out fine. We were immediately scheduled to see Dr. Ackerman at Riley on the 14th. Upon her work up, she was not comfortable sending us home and scheduled a shunt to be placed for his Hydrocephalus the next day. The first shunt was placed successfully on April 15th, 2010 and we followed up with her a week later and she gave us the free and clear; see you in October she said!
On Tuesday the week after we got the “all clear” Keegan started vomiting when in the upright position. By Thursday, on the way home from our Ophthalmologist appointment he projectile vomited 5 or 6 times and then went unconscious. I called 911 because my sister and I were in route to my work. We were taken to the ER where the doctors and nurse told us that it was only viral and to give him some Pedialyte and start on the BRAT method the following day. When his symptoms didn’t get any better and he started to eat less and less we took him back to the ER. After a couple of CT’s and X-RAYS, we were told that he had a bowel obstruction.
We were Life Lined to Riley in the very early hours of my first Mother’s Day.
They knew by the previous scans, almost immediately, that we were NOT dealing with a bowel obstruction but something else. By Tuesday my baby seemed to be slipping farther and farther away. He had a swallow study done Tuesday morning which he failed on three different levels; he then was not longer able to take food orally. There was an MRI with contrast scheduled for later that day, but as the day went on his breathing became VERY sporadic and he didn’t keep his eyes open for longer than 5 seconds. Around 7 when our nurses were changing shift I began to question what we were waiting for, both nurses who had been with us since we had moved up to their floor also noticed the decline and told me I could call cart, which simply means get a second opinion. By this time I was in tears he was getting worse and worse so I called it.
The Pediatric Intensive Care team came up where they began to evaluate him.
Just as they were deciding to put him on oxygen our nurse’s phone rang, it was radiology and just by the look on her face I knew it wasn’t good. The PICU team began the process of moving him down to their floor when a doctor came in out of know where and told me the answer to the question I had been longing for. Our son had a very large mass in his head. My first question was if it was operable. This gentleman thought it was and called Dr. Ackerman who was on her way within minutes.
After a 7 hour surgery that started in the late hours of May 11th and ended around 6 am on the 12th we were told they removed a 6 cm tumor from our 8 month olds brain that she believed to be malignant. The weeks following, we got our official diagnosis of Medulloblastoma and possible treatment options with radiations not being one of the “great” ones. After the tumor resection they took out the current shunt because they didn’t want to drain free roaming cancer cells into the abdomen. He then went into surgery to have a central line placed, a G-Tube placed at which point they scoped out his belly for ulcers because he had bloody stools, and they removed his extra digits. So here we are almost a month later starting VERY intense chemo.
This type of tumor is rare in babies under 3 and even rarer in babies under 1. We have a great team of doctors and nurse and I know in my heart we are in the right place. We have 6 long months of chemo ahead and then he will have a stem cell transplant to boost his blood count and immune system back up to normal. So far so good, he seems to be handling like a champ!
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Keegan and his family have moved into the Ronald McDonald House where he will be undergoing chemotherapy for the next 6 months. In the midst of all of this, Beth lost her job and money is a huge concern for them right now.
I can’t take away the pain that Beth, her husband Ryan & Keegan are going through, but what I can do is try my best to help make money less of a worry for them. With the help of MANY incredible bloggers & companies, I have put together this fundraiser to help raise money for The Chupp Family. I have set up a paypal account specifically for this purpose and at the end of each week I will forward all funds raised to Beth.
Here are the details:
Many incredible companies and people have offered up some of their products or credits to their stores for this giveaway. To enter please consider a donation to Keegan Chupp’s family**. You can donate by clicking the Paypal Donate button below. Each $5 donated will count as an entry to win one of the awesome donated prizes. If you donate $20 you will be entered four separate times.
I will be entering each donation into a spreadsheet and will draw on June 29th via www.random.org. All of the winners will be announced on June 30th.
**There is no fee or charge to participate in this giveaway. Participation is free. You are under no obligation to make a contribution and you may not be barred from participation if you choose not to make a contribution. Simply leave a comment with your name and email address to be entered to win.
Please help spread the word in any way you can. Tweeting will not earn you any extra entries but if you want to let people know about the fundraiser, please use the hashtag #karing4keegan.
If you are a company or individual interested in adding your product to the prize list you can contact me at raisingmadison925@gmail.com
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this happen, you know who you are and I couldn’t have gotten this together without the help from truly wonderful people!
Let’s help Team Keegan kick cancer’s butt!
Sponsors
- ERGObaby – ERGOBaby Carrier ($105 value, US & Canada)
- BrightStarts – Bouncer Chair (US)
- CafePress – Custom Short- Sleeved T-Shirt, Tote-Bag & Mug Package ($60, US) If you’re looking for amazing personalized gifts, CafePress is your source for any interest or topic!
- Blogs by Joceyln – Blog design, Fixer Upper Package ($30, anywhere)
- Josiah’s Nest – Fabric Knot Necklace ($12, US)
- FinePrints – Birthday or Baby Shower Invitation – design only ($15, anywhere)
- Gussy – $40 shop credit, excludes baby blankets (anywhere)
- Bella B Maternity – Personalized Baby Tee ($20, US)
- Dear Lillie- Pink Vintage Crown Onesie in 18-24 months ($13.95, US & Canada)
- Shutterfly- $25 Gift Card (anywhere)
- Baby And Me Gifts – $25 Store Credit (anywhere)
- Sweet Lily Boutique – $10 Store Credit (anywhere)
- BubyNoa Handmade Toys – $45 Store Credit (anywhere)
- Starbucks Gift Card from LawMomma – $15
- Bella’s Bowtique – Peach Boutique Flower & Pearl Headband ($8.99, US)
Added 6/8
- Blogs By Mandy- Full blog design ($60 value, anywhere)
- Sweet Pea Lovies – Blanket of Choice ($40 value)
- Sweet Adeline – $15 Shop Credit
Added 6/15
- First Years – True Choice Digital Monitor ($84.99 value)
- Young girl’s skirt in your choice of size by Ashley Culbertson
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I'm Joanna. Momma to Madison & Hannah, wife to Clint and a wine-drinking extraordinaire
This blog is a love letter to my family. There are highs & lows, tantrums & hugs and most of all lots of laughs & love. I hope you'll join us on the ride.
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June 8th, 2010 @ 7:57 am
This is such an amazing cause! Hope people can spare a few dollars to help out this wonderful family!
And thank-you so much to Raising Madsion for organizing this! It really shows what type of person you are for organizing a giveaway and donation for a family in need while going through this amazing journey with your own child. You are a really great person!!
xoxo
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June 8th, 2010 @ 7:58 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by annabear studio, Erika Levarse and JoannaOsborne, JoannaOsborne. JoannaOsborne said: Please help us raise money for Keegan, an 8 month old w/ Medulloblastoma. Huge giveaway on the blog!! http://bit.ly/aHwrWb #karing4keegan [...]
June 8th, 2010 @ 8:34 am
I have also been followng Beth’s story. My thoughts and prayers are with them. Also, I am so glad to have stumbled upon your blog. I love your positive outlook on life! Thank you!
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June 8th, 2010 @ 8:36 am
thank you for doing this! Glad to be able to help in a small way at the very least.
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June 8th, 2010 @ 8:52 am
you’re amazing. I don’t want to win… I just wanted to tell you that.
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June 8th, 2010 @ 9:02 am
This is amazing. What a strong little boy and family! I hope we can all help in some small way and what a great idea to get some gifts for giveaway to get more people to help! I know its hard work but there really are kind people out there who care!
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June 8th, 2010 @ 9:26 am
What a wonderful way to help someone!
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June 8th, 2010 @ 9:44 am
Thanks for organinzing this! I hope we can help.
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June 8th, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
I love you more every day. I posted about this on my blog as well, and will be donating at my lunch break.
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June 8th, 2010 @ 3:10 pm
So proud of you for getting this together!
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June 8th, 2010 @ 3:29 pm
I big puffy heart you in so many ways! You don’t know how this will help our little family! THANK YOU!
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June 8th, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
So good of you to organize this! I hope it’s tremendously successful!
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June 8th, 2010 @ 6:13 pm
Just emailed you…would love to offer a credit to my etsy shop
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June 8th, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
Aw, now I have another sweet little boy (along with Sam S.) whose story I’m hooked on! Wishing all the best to come the Chupp family’s way…I’ll be following. Just made a donation.
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June 8th, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
What a tug at the heartstrings! I am so happy to help…hope he shows that cancer who’s boss!
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June 8th, 2010 @ 7:38 pm
[...] fix the world, we can’t help every sick child. But please, take a moment and read about Keegan over at Raising Madison. His story will tear at your heart strings. And then, if you are able [...]
June 8th, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
I’ve been following Sam S. story and have been helping any way that I can. Now I have another precious little boy to follow and help any way that I can. My heart aches for anyone that has to go through something like this. I can’t imagine my little boy going through this. Keegan and Sam both have amazingly strong parents/ families. Push through this boys! You have a lot of people supporting and rooting for you.
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June 8th, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
i’m blogging about keegan and linking to your post right now. i don’t have a huge following, but every little bit helps. thanks you for doing this, and we are praying for keegan.
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June 8th, 2010 @ 9:38 pm
I just had our son, our first child, this past January. I shudder when I think that something like this could have happened to us. Things like this are so random and inexplicable…. My heart breaks for your family. I am posting this on my page but…like my friend Justine, I don’t have a large following of people either, but they are spread all over the world and have big hearts. I hope you are blessed with all you need. You’re in our prayers and on our minds. Bless you all!
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June 9th, 2010 @ 6:22 am
Thank you so much for organizing this fundraiser. I have been following Beth and Keegan’s journey on Facebook. I will definitely be donating as I have been looking for a way to help in any way I can. I can’t even begin to imagine what they are going through! Is there a way I can share this via Facebook?
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Lauren M Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 6:27 am
Nevermind the Facebook quesiton. I found a link on Beth’s Wall. I will share it on my profile as well. Thanks!
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June 9th, 2010 @ 7:10 am
[...] job and money is a huge concern for them right now. The gal behind this fantastic fundraiser is Joanna at Raising Madison; she has started this fundraiser #karingforKEEGAN, and I’ve joined forces with her so we can [...]
June 9th, 2010 @ 10:02 am
We had our first baby around the same time as Keegan. The thought that this could have possibly been us- stuns me. So many parents walk into the maternity ward with the idea of a perfect labor and a perfect baby… but there is so much that can happen and most of the time we do not hear about those stories.
Still Beth is blessed for having her baby with her… her perfect baby =)
Thank you for sharing their touching story.
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June 9th, 2010 @ 12:09 pm
What a great cause.
FYI, my friend who has used paypal to collect money for various causes in the past has learned that if the money senders mark the payment as “gift” she doesn’t incur any fees for the transaction. Something for everyone to think about when they send their donation!
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June 9th, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
I have donated, tweeted and posted this on my Facebook. What a precious boy! I hope the fundraiser is a success.
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June 9th, 2010 @ 7:02 pm
[...] it is: Karing for Keegan Fundraiser Category: [...]
June 9th, 2010 @ 9:56 pm
You are such an amazing person for doing this. I donated $20 bucks tonight. I also blogged about it and posted an annoucement on FB. I hope there’s a few other people who will donate after hearing it from me.
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June 10th, 2010 @ 9:05 am
[...] forget to participate in our Karing for Keegan Fundraiser! Category: Family, Thankful on [...]
June 10th, 2010 @ 7:25 pm
I don’t know your family but I went to HS with Ashley Chupp. I saw the website on her facebook page and your story and your son truly touched my heart. I am praying for all of you and have faith that you will ALL beat this! Congratulations on being so strong.
Catherine
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June 11th, 2010 @ 10:41 am
You are so great for sharing this and helping their family!
::heart you::
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June 11th, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
Hi – I donated and would love to be entered for drawings! Thanks! You’re sweet to do this for this family!
Greta
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June 11th, 2010 @ 4:15 pm
Not interested in winning…just wanted to donate and help that sweet family and their precious son.
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June 12th, 2010 @ 8:55 am
[...] are 3.5 days into this fundraiser and we have raised over $600. You guys AMAZE me. Every time I log into the paypal account and see [...]
June 13th, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
[...] Madison is currently running a fundraiser for Keegan, an 8 month old with Medulloblastoma. She’s got some incredible companies on board (hello, [...]
June 14th, 2010 @ 1:30 pm
[...] another lunch out or a couple coffees next week. I want to introduce you to a blog called Raising Madison (for those who aren’t familiar with the cuteness already). Madison’s mom is raising [...]
June 14th, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
Donated!!!!!!!!!!
xoxoxoxo
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June 15th, 2010 @ 11:36 am
So happy to contribute!
What an amazing gift you are giving the Chupp’s! Not just the $$ but the gift of having so many more people praying for Keegan. I’ll also add the button to Jack’s blog if I can figure it out
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June 15th, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
I’ve been in contact with Beth as we’re experiencing similar hardships. I’m happy to contribute and will try to spread the word!
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Joanna Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Aww Cassie. The Sam Thank You video had me in tears for a LONG time. Such a sweet boy you have… I heard the good news about his tumors and I hope you continue to get that wonderful news!
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June 16th, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
[...] just entered to win $100 gift credit from @LisaLeonard and @BabyRabies” 5. Make a donation to #Karing4Keegan Please post a seperate comment for each. You can tweet multiple times about the contest, but only [...]
June 16th, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
Those are some serious prizes you got there woman! My reader is all fixed now so I’m late, but donated & would love to be entered!
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June 16th, 2010 @ 2:57 pm
I have posted about this on my blog here http://sherisstory.blogspot.com/2010/06/caring-for-keegan-shared-from-rasing.html to help you spread the word. This is a great thing you are doing for this family!
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June 16th, 2010 @ 5:42 pm
What a wonderful thing! I wish I could help! I am broke right now..=( I am entering though into the contest!
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June 16th, 2010 @ 6:34 pm
Thoughts and prayers to the family!
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June 17th, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
Randomly found Karing for Keegan while surfing the web…and was so touched. I don’t know the family, but made a donation. Best wishes & big prayers to all.
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Joanna Reply:
June 18th, 2010 at 6:59 am
Thank you so much Julie!.
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June 18th, 2010 @ 3:33 am
[...] you new here? do you know about Joanna and her #Karing4Keegan fundraiser? She is doing a really good thing, raising money for a family [...]
June 18th, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
I donated a tiny amount, but will come back and donate more as I get it into my paypal acct. It won’t be much, but darnit, something is better than nothing and I want to help!
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Joanna Reply:
June 18th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
every little bit makes a difference. Thank you so much Joanne!
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June 21st, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
Sending thoughts and prayers for Keegan and the Chupp family. Thank you for putting this together as I am sure it will help them more than anyone can know. I’ve donated and have shared this post on Facebook as well.
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June 22nd, 2010 @ 10:59 am
I am praying for little Keegan and his family! I admire the heart and determination that they have and feel confident healing will be happening for Keegan. God bless!
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June 22nd, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
I am incredibly moved by this story – and I really hope that Keegan succeeds in his fight against cancer. You are such a wonderful friend to organize this fundraiser for her.
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June 27th, 2010 @ 11:15 am
Just donated, hope we can donate enough for this family, off to retweet the message!
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Joanna Reply:
June 27th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
thank you!!!
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June 28th, 2010 @ 3:50 pm
I have been meaning to get over here forever now and make a donation and I finally was able to today. I really wish I could have done more. You are an awesome person for doing this! I will be following Keegan’s story now and I hope his chemo is successful!
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June 29th, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
I made a small donation. Thank you for doing this.
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June 29th, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
Praying for Keegan’s recovery! I made a small donation – only $5 but I just got laid off.
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July 9th, 2010 @ 7:14 am
[...] most proud moment on this blog was rallying with hundreds of strangers to raise $1,870 for a family whose 9 month old son is undergoing chemotherapy treatments for brain [...]
May 15th, 2011 @ 4:40 pm
[...] remember sweet Keegan [...]