Before Christmas of 2007, Daniel began to complain of his legs hurting him. After giving him Motrin and his pain not getting better, he went to see his doctor right after Christmas. They sent D for an x-ray which showed a large tumor in his abdomen. A CT scan taken showed a large mass in his stomach. After ten hours of surgery, the largest part of the tumor was removed, however some of it could not be taken out because it was too close to his spine.
The doctors ran many tests on D, and the Depaties were told that D has neuroblastoma, a rare cancer in children that affects the sympathetic nerve system. They were also told that he was Stage 4, high risk, and that the cancer had spread into D’s bone marrow.
The protocol to treat D’s condition requires the Depaties to travel to Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber. Sue will now stay home with Daniel, to make sure he gets the best treatment possible and to try to keep their family's schedule as normal as they can. With only one income for the Depaties there are many unknown obstacles that lie ahead for them. We want to support the Depaties as much as can so instead of them focusing on how they will financially make it through Daniel's treatment and recovery, they can focus all their positive energy on making Little D healthy again.
