jamison richie

Jamison Richie is a vivacious, funny, bright 6 year old. He attends Roosevelt Elementary School in Hays, Kansas. He wasn't always that way. When Jamison was 2 1/2 years old, he would cry when he tried to walk or even crawl. Tiffany and Harold took him to doctors at Hays Medical Center. They ran numerous tests from bone scans, CAT scans, blood test, back scans, and arthritis scans. None of these test revealed any information. They finally did a MRI on his back. Jamison was diagnosed on October 8, 2003 with an Astrocytoma. Jamison's astrocytoma was a malignant tumor which wrapped around his spinal cord. It was considered a low grade tumor, meaning it grows very slowly.

Jamison had surgery on October 18, 2003 in Wichita, Kansas to remove the tumor. During surgery he lost feeling in his right foot, with decreased sensation in his right leg. For the most part, surgery was a success. He was no longer in pain and they removed 90-95% of the tumor. Since surgery, Jamison has had regular MRI'S to monitor his tumor. Jamison has to wear a brace or shoes at all times. This doesn't stop him from running and playing just like any rambunctious 6 year old.

Jamison's last MRI was done on August 14, 2007 in Wichita. It showed a significant change from the previous MRI, which was done only 6 months before. They have noticed it is now covering three of his vertebrae. He is currently under the care of several physicians. Jamison's neurosurgeon and oncologist believe it would be in his best interest to be seen by a Pediatric Neurosurgeon in New York. The pediatric neurosurgeon works at the NYU Medical Center and specializes in pediatric brain tumors.

The neurosurgeon in New York has spent the last month looking over Jamison's MRI films and CD's. He has requested doctors in Wichita do another MRI before the first of November. If all goes well, Jamison and his family will go to New York for a consultation and possibly have surgery done shortly after. If surgery is done, follow up treatment may also be needed. However that will be determined when the time comes