Hello, my name is Kimberly Cochran, and I’m organizing this fundraiser on behalf of my sister Chelsea and my 8 year old nephew Nathaniel. We are a proud family who would never normally ask for assistance; however, all of that changes when everything in the world seems out of your control. During trying times, you do what is needed to help a mother and her child. Here is their story: On December 15th, Nathaniel experienced an episode of seizure-like activity, and his mother immediately called 911. By the time the responders arrived, Nathaniel’s symptoms had subsided. After checking Nathaniel’s vitals, the paramedics concluded that the darkness of the room had likely contributed to what she believed she observed. The responders asked Nathaniel if he was cold because they believed that what she thought were tremors were actually just shivers of coldness; however, the home was no different in temperature than usual. One might hear this medical conclusion and say that there was no cause for worry, except for the fact that the paramedics’ deduction did not explain why Nathaniel’s pupils were unresponsive or why Nathaniel had vomited during the episode, both of which she had explained. Out of precaution, Chelsea decided to take Nathaniel to the Emergency Room, where a physician ran some tests and told her that Nathaniel may have been “overly tired” that day and simply in a deep sleep. With an unsettling feeling still in her stomach, Chelsea then took her son to his usual pediatrician, who agreed with the ER diagnosis, despite the fact that Nathaniel’s activity that day was no more than usual. On January 15th, Chelsea and Nathaniel, along with his younger brother Noah, were driving to visit their family members, when she heard a sudden commotion in the back seat. She looked in her mirror only to find that Nathaniel appeared to be having yet another seizure. Under the advice of a friend, Chelsea was able to remain calm as she recorded what seemed to be the same exact seizure-like activity that Nathaniel had experienced just one month prior. Once the seizure subsided, Chelsea and Nathaniel traveled to the closest Emergency Room, where Chelsea’s video recording had assisted in them receiving a prompt response. A CT scan was ordered, and it revealed that Nathaniel’s seizures had been caused by a tumor growing in his brain. In that moment, my sister’s world shattered, and her heart broke. They spent the next few days at the hospital, where doctors ran all sorts of tests and a biopsy to determine that Nathaniel had a rare, benign tumor. Doctors had uncovered an astrocytoma, a tumor that managed to attach itself to a rare gene. Chelsea was told that this tumor was inoperable and that chemo and radiation were the only two treatment options available for Nathaniel. The doctors instructed Chelsea to consider her options, and they placed Nathaniel on anti-seizure medication to prevent seizures from arising in the meantime (which has thankfully been working!). People often say that medicine is an art form and that not every physician paints the same picture, which we saw to be true after Nathaniel’s first, misdiagnosed seizure. After her experiences with other medical professionals, Chelsea decided that she wanted to speak with other specialists and professionals to confirm Nathaniel’s diagnosis, treatment options, and expected outcomes. She called several doctors across various states, determined to find the best doctor to treat her son’s astrocytoma. Her countless hours spent on the internet and on the phone led her to Duke Children’s Hospital in North Carolina. After several visits and countless examinations, the doctors at Duke discovered some concerning asymmetrical growth in Nathaniel’s tumor, and they insisted that the time to act on this astrocytoma is now. Although previous facilities and professionals stated that Nathaniel’s tumor was inoperable, a neurosurgeon at Duke’s has experience with this procedure and firmly believes that he can remove Nathaniel’s brain tumor in surgery. A local neurologist overseeing Nathaniel’s current anti-seizure regimen has listened to and expressed agreement with Duke's treatment plan, and Chelsea has decided to move forward with this option. Although the surgery is worrisome, to say the least, we have been told that the complications ahead will be far worse than seizures if the tumor is not removed. We are hopeful that there will be no complications with Nathaniel’s insurance in regards to his treatment plan; however, our hope is to create a financial safety net to ensure my sister's focus remains on Nathaniel’s health and recovery during his treatment, regardless of whether or not unforeseen costs arise. This fundraiser has been established to assist my sister and nephew with travel and living expenses during their minimal month-long stay in North Carolina. As a full time student and a part-time employee, Chelsea does not qualify for PTO or vacation payout options. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading our story, considering our cause, and being a beacon of hope during this challenging time. Whether it be through financial donations or spiritual prayers, I thank you in advance for your time and help. Your thoughts and prayers are truly worth more than gold to us. Nathaniel Jacob Estrella’s surgery is scheduled August 10th 2024. With heartfelt gratitude, Kimberly Cochran/Supportive Friends and Family
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