August 7, 2009:

We leave for a summer trip to Mammoth.

August 9:

Cody wakes up a little cranky and running a low fever.

August 10:

Cody is sleepy and we decide to drive back home to LA. On the drive back, Cody wakes up from sleeping…with a terrible headache…

…ODD

By the time we reach LA, Cody seems very lethargic and complains of a headache. After consulting with the pediatrician, Cody is taken to urgent care where the doctors are perplexed by his status and suspect meningitis or possibly the swine flu. He is sent home for the night with instructions to go see the pediatrician in the am.

…NOBODY SEEMS TOO CONCERNED

August 11:

After sleeping through the night…Cody still wakes up and complains of head pain. Still very lethargic and wanting to lay down. We don’t waste any more time, and rush Cody straight to pediatrician’s office. After a routine checkup, we request a CT Scan. Cody is taken to Tarzana Medical Center and a CT scan reveals some inflammation in his head. After getting the results, the pediatrician decides to transfer Cody to Cedars Sinai Medical Center for an MRI.

…NOW WE ARE PANICKED

The MRI scan reveals a mass between the 3rd and 4th ventricles in the brain. Cody has also been diagnosed with severe Hydrocephalus. Two hours later at bedside a drill is used to insert an EVD (External Ventricle Drain) so that the fluid and pressure can be relieved. After a sec-ond MRI, the doctor concludes that brain surgery is needed to evaluate the mass.

…A PARENTS WORSE NIGHTMARE

AUGUST 14:

7am: Cody goes in for brain surgery (estimated duration of surgery 4-7 hours)

…TENSION WAS GROWING

8am: We are told Cody is now under anesthesia and ready for surgery.

9:45am: We are told the doctor has finished and will come out to speak talk to us shortly.

…THE LONGEST HOUR OF OUR LIVES GOES BY

10:45am: Dr. Danielpour walks out…

…AS WE ALMOST FAINT

“You won the lottery!” the doctor says with a big smile. He proceeds to explain that Cody had a cyst that was blocking the normal pathway and therefore the fluid was building in the center of his brain. The doctor deflated the cyst with the hope that after a few days the fluid would travel its normal path.

…NOW WE PRAY HE WAKES UP AND KNOWS WHO WE ARE AND WHERE HE IS…HE DOES After spending 5 more days in the PICU, Cody is released from the hospital…The doctor is pleased with his new MRI results. FAST FORWARD 5 MONTHS

December 15:

Cody goes in for his routine MRI (scheduled every 3 months) The doctor is so pleased with the results he gives Cody a clean bill of health for the entire year!!!!!!

YEAH!!!!

Even though our story has a happy ending….Many families are not as fortunate.

Cody Zafrani LA Marathon Fundraiser

On March 21, Benny will be running the L.A. Marathon (26.2 miles) to raise funds in support of the remarkable team of doctors that has been so vital to Cody’s treatment. Dr. Moise Danielpour, director of the Cedars-Sinai Pediatric Program, and his colleagues are engaged in cutting-edge research that has tremendous potential to make a critical difference for other children with brain tumors. Through their work, Dr. Danielpour and others are developing alternative therapeutic approaches to treat – and eventually, to cure – brain cancer, the leading tumor cause of death in children. The advances they are making in tumor stem cell biology and targeted gene therapy for both pediatric and adult brain tumors are not only groundbreaking; they have the power to save lives.

It is difficult to express the depth of my gratitude for Cody’s continued good health. As a parent, there is nothing more difficult than watching your child suffer – and nothing more thrilling than watching him get well. I hope you will join me in giving that chance to other parents and children by lending your generous support to the experts at Cedars-Sinai. With your assistance, their passion, commitment and incredible skill will continue to fuel new discoveries, offering kids like Cody the promise of a rich and vibrant future.

If you would like to make a gift to support this research, you can make a donation online by:

1. Using your web browser, browse to Support Pediatric Brain Tumor Research by clicking the following link: https://www.discoveringforlife.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=345

2. From the list of designations, please select the fund called “Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program – I”

3. Enter “Cody Zafrani” under “Honoree”

4. Select “In Honor of” in the “Type” dropdown.

5. Click the “Continue” button to make your donation.

Thank you again for your support,

Benny & Annah Zafrani