My Story
Hi my name is Teagan McNeill Griffin in June 15th of last year I was diagnosed with Stage III Hepatoblastoma (Liver Cancer). The tumor inside of me was 7.9cm mass which is pushing on my major organs and creating the lining of my membrane to bleed which I had to receive two blood transfusions. I had 2 portacath surgically installed to receive aggressive chemotherapy beginning on Friday, June 18th. The chemotherapy treatment will be every week and no breaks in between treatments. With the aggressive chemotherapy my side effects was the loss of medium and high pitch hearing, hair loss, loss of weight and growth (I am small for my age), and I had to received 4 blood transfusions and been a really sick little boy. I am having to going through 6 months of chemotherapy.
Today June 23 I have been placed on the liver transplant list and my AFP Test (Alpha-Fetoprotein) which is a test in which it detects how many cancer cells are throughout my body. Were 58,000 with a normal child my age should be between 1-10.
July 2, we had some very upsetting news Friday. My AFP (Test to detect how many cancer cells are throughout the body) has increased. The Doctors also found 3 nodules on my Left Lung. Also, Kevin’s (my dad) job went from full time to part time and some weeks there’s no work at all. And my mom is unable to work due to my health.
July 15, we will be going to Duke University Hospital to meet with the Liver Transplant Surgeon. Which other test will be performed on Tonya, My mom since she is compatible with me to give ½ her liver.
August 24, we received the results from the ultrasound and my tumor had shrunk from 7.9 to 4.3. AMEN!!! In this case the surgery team can do a liver de section surgery and it will be soon.
Sept 30, The Big Days Here, Surgery to remove ¾ of my liver (This is 1 of 4 surgeries for me, I have had more surgeries then Birthdays)
During Surgery I had to have a blood transfusion #5. The surgery lasted 10 ½ hours (The longest 10 ½ hours of my family’s life). I had ¾ of my liver removed. And Dr. Petty said everything went as expected and they got the entire tumor out, and all around the margins were negative for cancer. I will have to go back on chemotherapy for another 9 weeks after surgery to make sure all cancer cells are removed.
Today, Thanks to Jesus Christ and lots of Prayer from my mom, dad, family, and friends!!! I am doing better. I am a rampageous little man!!! I am full of life and energy and I’m into everything. (I am really making up for lost time).We still going back and forth to Brenner Children’s Hospital for blood test, physicals, CAT Scan, additional medication and one more surgery to go.
I am a MIRACLE my mom and dad tell me every day!!! I will most likely be the only child, because hepatoblastoma is genetic cancer.
My family is planning a fundraiser called “Teagan’s Triumph” in honor of me being BRAVE little boy and everything I have been through. The proceeds will go towards to families at Brenner Children’s Hospital. Families that are going through the same thing my family has gone through. We would LOVE to give all the proceeds to the Brenner Children’s Hospital families because we know just how hard it is to have a child, like me, that has cancer and all the hard time the families have to endure.
Hi my name is Teagan McNeill Griffin in June 15th of last year I was diagnosed with Stage III Hepatoblastoma (Liver Cancer). The tumor inside of me was 7.9cm mass which is pushing on my major organs and creating the lining of my membrane to bleed which I had to receive two blood transfusions. I had 2 portacath surgically installed to receive aggressive chemotherapy beginning on Friday, June 18th. The chemotherapy treatment will be every week and no breaks in between treatments. With the aggressive chemotherapy my side effects was the loss of medium and high pitch hearing, hair loss, loss of weight and growth (I am small for my age), and I had to received 4 blood transfusions and been a really sick little boy. I am having to going through 6 months of chemotherapy.
Today June 23 I have been placed on the liver transplant list and my AFP Test (Alpha-Fetoprotein) which is a test in which it detects how many cancer cells are throughout my body. Were 58,000 with a normal child my age should be between 1-10.
July 2, we had some very upsetting news Friday. My AFP (Test to detect how many cancer cells are throughout the body) has increased. The Doctors also found 3 nodules on my Left Lung. Also, Kevin’s (my dad) job went from full time to part time and some weeks there’s no work at all. And my mom is unable to work due to my health.
July 15, we will be going to Duke University Hospital to meet with the Liver Transplant Surgeon. Which other test will be performed on Tonya, My mom since she is compatible with me to give ½ her liver.
August 24, we received the results from the ultrasound and my tumor had shrunk from 7.9 to 4.3. AMEN!!! In this case the surgery team can do a liver de section surgery and it will be soon.
Sept 30, The Big Days Here, Surgery to remove ¾ of my liver (This is 1 of 4 surgeries for me, I have had more surgeries then Birthdays)
During Surgery I had to have a blood transfusion #5. The surgery lasted 10 ½ hours (The longest 10 ½ hours of my family’s life). I had ¾ of my liver removed. And Dr. Petty said everything went as expected and they got the entire tumor out, and all around the margins were negative for cancer. I will have to go back on chemotherapy for another 9 weeks after surgery to make sure all cancer cells are removed.
Today, Thanks to Jesus Christ and lots of Prayer from my mom, dad, family, and friends!!! I am doing better. I am a rampageous little man!!! I am full of life and energy and I’m into everything. (I am really making up for lost time).We still going back and forth to Brenner Children’s Hospital for blood test, physicals, CAT Scan, additional medication and one more surgery to go.
I am a MIRACLE my mom and dad tell me every day!!! I will most likely be the only child, because hepatoblastoma is genetic cancer.
My family is planning a fundraiser called “Teagan’s Triumph” in honor of me being BRAVE little boy and everything I have been through. The proceeds will go towards to families at Brenner Children’s Hospital. Families that are going through the same thing my family has gone through. We would LOVE to give all the proceeds to the Brenner Children’s Hospital families because we know just how hard it is to have a child, like me, that has cancer and all the hard time the families have to endure.
