In early 2021, 4-year-old Scarlette Wheelock began to reject her favorite foods, complaining she couldn’t swallow. Her mother, Ashley Huebner, initially attributed it to a lack of appetite but grew concerned when Scarlette’s speech delays and hearing issues persisted. By early 2022, her symptoms escalated to facial paralysis and morning vomiting, prompting a critical trip to the University of Iowa Health Care.
A CT scan showed a huge brain tumor that caused massive swelling. The doctors operated on her on an emergency basis to put in a shunt for draining fluid. Then, after nine hours, they took out most of the tumor. Scarlette was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma, a slow-growing and treatable tumor. So, she had 15 months of chemotherapy.
Despite the challenges, Scarlette showed resilience. “Her energy after chemo amazed everyone,” said Huebner. Regular MRI scans indicated the tumor was shrinking, although remnants will remain on her brainstem indefinitely.
Since then, Scarlette had regained much of her language and motor skills, while permanently losing hearing in one ear. Now 7, she continues to see Dr. Huebner, going to follow-up visits regularly. “The prognosis is very good,” said Huebner, however, she admitted that the worry is never fully gone.
Today, Scarlette plays with toys again and celebrates her milestone completion of ringing the chemo-completion bell in July 2023. So, her family celebrates hope, being optimistic yet cautious, and keeping an eye more on her happiness and her health.
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