In the week leading up to Easter 2019, ten-year-old Danny began having headaches accompanied by vomiting. He seemed to get better with rest and pain relievers, but then the headaches would return. On the evening of Good Friday, Danny came into his parents’ room clutching his head with tears in his eyes. At some point in the night, he got up to return to his own room. However, his mother, Mandy, woke around 4 AM and found him unconscious on the floor having a seizure.
“I think God woke her up, and she saved my life,” Danny said.
Finding answers
Danny’s parents called 911 and paramedics rushed him to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s. A CT scan revealed significant fluid build-up putting pressure on Danny’s brain. Doctors drilled into his skull and placed a stint to relieve the pressure. Once he was stable, an MRI revealed the cause—a rare brain tumor called craniopharyngioma was blocking the flow of spinal fluid from the brain.
Craniopharyngioma is a non-cancerous tumor, meaning it does not spread to other parts of the body. However, it develops near the pituitary gland and can interfere with vital hormone-regulating functions affecting growth and metabolism.
The team that went above and beyond
Doctors scheduled Danny for surgery on the following Monday to try to remove the tumor. Having finally gained his appetite back after his ordeal, Danny asked for food. When his doctor said he could have anything he wanted, Danny asked for his favorite, Chick-fil-a nuggets. However, it was Easter Sunday and the restaurant was closed.
Although Danny was willing to settle for another option, his nurse overheard and quietly worked behind the scenes to brighten his day. Her efforts led to a surprise visit from the “Eat Mor Chickin” cow mascot to Danny’s room with a huge platter of chicken nuggets—an unexpected moment of joy for him and his family during a frightening time.
“His reaction was priceless,” Danny’s dad, Joey, said. “Everyone in the room had tears in their eyes. We couldn’t believe that his nurse moved mountains to make this happen for Danny. We are so thankful to his doctors and nurses. We couldn’t have asked for a better team.”
The safest path forward
During Danny’s surgery the next day, surgeons determined that fully removing the tumor could cause long-term damage due to its attachment to the pituitary gland. Instead, they drained the tumor and placed a shunt so that it could be drained again if needed without another operation.
Danny went home just a few days later. He continued treatment with proton radiation therapy to shrink the tumor and other medications to help his pituitary gland function properly.
“Let me tell you something about McLane Children’s,” Danny said. “They’re here to help no matter what. I was in and out of consciousness, but I always felt safe. I am so thankful that they were there for me.”
Focused on the future
Today, Danny is 17 years old and still has his tumor, but is living life to the fullest. He enjoys playing golf and his work at the same Chick-fil-a that fulfilled his Sunday wish. After high school, he has big plans to attend business school and eventually own a Chick-fil-a franchise. “I want to help other people the way they helped me,” he said.
