EVERYDAY
On April 12, 2-year-old Caspian Moore was at his day care in Canton, celebrating Easter, when he fell and hit his head. “I immediately brought him home where he slept most the day,” said his mom, Helen. “When he woke up, he began vomiting, so my fiance, Ethan, quickly took him to urgent care, suspecting he could have a concussion. I was working, so I met them there. Looking back, Caspian had been randomly falling frequently; standing one moment and on the ground the next. He also didn’t have much of an appetite lately, and would frequently vomit for no reason. When I shared this information with the urgent care doctor, he directed us to WellStar Kennestone Hospital for a CT scan.” While at Kennestone, Caspian’s CT scan revealed a tumor in the back of his brain. “Everything happened so fast. We were immediately transported to Children’s Scottish Rite Hospital Healthcare of Atlanta, where we waited for more information. The following day, an MRI revealed a tumor and fluid on his skull, requiring immediate
Aggressive chemo followed Caspian's surgery. 36
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
Helen and her fiance, Ethan, with Caspian.
surgery to insert a drain to remove the fluid from his brain. It was so hard keeping him completely still during this time. Once the fluid was removed, they performed surgery to remove his tumor on Friday, April 15. Surgeons felt confident that they removed 100% of his tumor, but aggressive chemo must follow,” Helen said. Caspian was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous type of brain tumor that develops in the cerebellum, a part of the brain near the bottom of the skull that involves muscle coordination, balance and movement. Medulloblastoma is the most common type of cancerous brain tumor in children. Doctors usually treat kids who have this with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Treatment has improved in recent years, and more kids are making a full recovery. Helen works full time as a server at Taco Mac in Canton. Her work friends have become her family, and have set up a GoFundMe account to help Helen focus on Caspian’s treatment. “Any time Helen spends away from work is time without pay. We want to make sure that paying the bills is the furthest thing from her mind while she and fiance Ethan Melton give all of their focus to helping Caspian
recover and get better,” said Skylar, a co-worker. Today, Caspian remains at Scottish Rite, as he begins his third chemo treatment. “His doctors assure us that his survival rate is high,” Helen said. “Treatments must continue after we leave Scottish Rite, as well as frequent MRIs to ensure his tumor doesn’t return. Since Caspian’s diagnosis, I have not been able to work, and expenses are overwhelming. I would like to thank my family for their love and support, all the wonderful nurses at the pediatric intensive care unit and Aflac at Scottish Rite, my Taco Mac work family, and, most importantly, God for his grace and mercy,” Helen said. Everyday Angels will accept donations for the Moores, or you may donate through GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/6f6b9ee2. Please keep Caspian in your prayers. Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal, or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in our community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.
