Meet Christian

It was the summer of Christian’s 9th grade year when his medical journey started.  He was noticing some discomfort in his neck and head when he would change positions and participate in physical activities. He asked us to make an appointment with the doctor, so we visited our pediatrician, Dr. Norma Mobley, who evaluated him and tested him for different things. She couldn’t find anything that stood out, but she listened to Christian explain the symptoms and what was bothering him.  After listening to him and God, she decided to send him to get an MRI.  Our appointment was scheduled for the next day at another hospital. Christian had his MRI taken and within 15 minutes of leaving the appointment, we received a phone call stating that we needed to pack our bags and head to Children’s and Women’s Hospital.  We were told that he had a brain tumor and our lives changed from that moment forward.

Children’s and Women’s Hospital was our home away from home for the next month. Christian underwent a 5 1/2-hour brain surgery where the Neurologist was able to remove the tumor. He stayed in Pediatric ICU with a TUBE in his brain for an entire month. We were surrounded by the best nurses and doctors in town, and our family and friends were there to support us every step of the way.

Christian had to learn to walk and write again. He participated in physical therapy, radiation, and chemo for the duration of his treatment plan. There were overnight stays, visits to the HOPE CLINIC and therapy.  The best medicine and therapy, however, was his weekly visit from his two best friends. When they were over at the house it seemed like things were normal and he wasn’t sick. Laughter came out of the room as they talked and played video games.

This process continued throughout Christian’s 9th and 10th grade year. His school was amazing! They were so supportive as they walked through his medical journey with us, and they kept him and our family lifted in prayer. The middle of 10th grade was when Christian was able to return to school. We were all so thankful! Some sort of normalcy was returning to our lives. Since his treatment was over, he was now eligible for a wish to be granted. This is when we learned about a local and AMAZING organization called Magic Moments that would grant his wish. He talked about several different wishes and decided on one that was perfect for him. He wished to see his favorite football team play and to meet a player. Magic Moments worked hard on making this happen. 

Christian’s reveal took place during Childhood Cancer Awareness month and on the same day that he rang the bell indicating that he was CANCER FREE. It took place on the football field at his school surrounded by his friends and classmates. Magic moments and The Berry Strong Foundation presented him with a video from Bart Starr's granddaughter stating he would be traveling to Wisconsin to watch the Green Bay Packers play on Christmas Day. He was surprised and so happy. We began to plan our trip as soon as we got home, but there wasn’t much for us to do because Magic Moments did it all. There wasn’t a thing that they didn’t think about. They made his wish everything and more!

We traveled to Wisconsin and arrived as planned. We were welcomed and had game day bags and accessories waiting for us. The day before the game, we toured the stadium and Christian was able to meet running back Aaron Jones, #33. He was a very personal young man who took time to talk to and take pictures with Christian. He even signed the jersey that Christian received on the night of his reveal.  This was an amazing moment that was worth a million dollars.

Before we knew it, it was game day! The atmosphere was filled with yellow and green plus a light coating of snowflakes. It was truly a magical day that was provided to Christian by an amazing organization that we are so thankful for. Magic Moments made Christian’s dream come true. Many memories were made that will last a lifetime, and Magic Moments is to thank for that.