City: Lawrenceville

Brain Injury: Diagnosed with Cerebellar Neuroblastoma Brain Tumor shortly after my first birthday.  I have multiple secondary Radiation Induced Meningiomas (brain tumors) and other late effects from original radiation treatment.

Explanation of Mask: When I was 15 months old, I experienced symptoms of lethargy and projectile vomiting.  After repeated visits to the pediatrician and being sent home with my “over-reactive” parents, I was admitted to the local hospital and given an MRI.  The scan revealed a large cerebellar mass and I was rushed at midnight in an ambulance to Children’s Healthcare for emergency brain surgery at 2 AM. I then underwent a craniotomy 3 days later that removed approximately 70 % of the tumor. I was treated for 2 years with heavy duty chemotherapy, and then received 30 radiation treatments to my whole brain and spine shortly after my 3^rd birthday.  I have a lot of secondary issues from the original treatment, including at least 6 current secondary radiation-induced meningiomas.  We treat them when they cause problems, and in the meantime I live my life to the fullest.

My mask represents the pros and cons of being a childhood cancer patient, and the experience of all the secondary health issues from the original treatment. 

The left side of the mask represents the pros of my cancer journey and it transitions from top to bottom into the joys and enjoyments that have helped me navigate my cancer journey. The pro side also overflows to the inside of the mask, where I share extra positives and what makes me happy.

The right side of the mask represents the con side and the hardships, isolation, dislikes and wear and tear on the body that I have endured from having cancer at a young age.

My favorite color is yellow, represented by the yellow feather.

The glow in the dark paint on the con side represents the radiation treatments.

The wire and pipe cleaners are symbolic of all the scars that I have earned through my battle, but the scars have made me a stronger person. Scars are my stories, history written on the body.

The eye prism on my left eye represents the most recent Proton Radiation treatment that I had to the tumor that was causing strabismus.  I was sent to MassGeneral in Boston for 6 weeks of treatment, and we had the time of our lives enjoying the top-of-the-line medical care and the rich history and cultural life that the city of Boston has to offer—a very overall positive experience!

The heart stone with the hole represents the hole in my heart from those friends and loved ones that I have lost to cancer.

The ducks and duck feather represents my dad, who is “Uncle Duck” to all his nieces and nephews.  He lost his own battle to cancer when I was 17 years old.

The owl feather represents my love of nature, and the wisdom that I have gained from the journey—

“I am not what happened to me.  I am what I choose to become.”