Sanchez Family

Meet Owen, our little warrior. He loves to dance, sing, and spread joy with his tender heart. In September, Owen went to the ER for a stomach bug, and an MRI showed enlarged brain ventricles. After an emergency drain, he was life-flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and Dandy Walker syndrome. Owen had a successful ETV surgery. A week later, his symptoms returned, and tests showed the ETV was failing. A permanent shunt was placed to relieve pressure. By January, Owen began feeling tired, with headaches and leg pain. Ibuprofen helped temporarily, but the night before we went to PCH, he screamed in pain. Tests revealed the shunt was over-draining, causing brain shrinkage and fluid on the brain’s surface. He had surgery to replace the shunt and place subdural drains to help his brain expand. Although his brain improved, his leg pain continued. A facial droop led to an MRI of Owen’s spine, revealing multiple masses. The largest one, between L4-L5, was tethering nerves and causing pain. Owen had a seven-hour surgery to remove the mass, and the surgeon saved all the nerves.On February 1st, Owen was diagnosed with Primary CNS Melanoma, a rare cancer with fewer than 10 pediatric cases. He’s undergone radiation, and the tumors are responding better than expected. He will continue immunotherapy, and we are hopeful he will be the first to survive this disease. Despite ongoing health struggles and emergency trips to PCH, we see miracles and tender mercies every day. We continue to pray, trusting Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for us all.