Dean's Fight

06/11/2026

As you know, our family needs help with everything surrounding Dean because the situation is massive & continuous. Each hospital stay, surgery, radiation...it all takes extra money that we find exceptionally difficult to come up with. We find ourselves in a position that we must ask for help; even just sharing Dean's story & our information. Anything & everything is absolutely helpful & we are grateful beyond words. Thank you.
Venmo: (last four digits if needed, 4524)
CashApp: $ShannonFender9902 or $TatumMusick
Go Fund Me https://gofund.me/87adee69

06/11/2026

DEAN UPDATE: Wednesday, 6/10
Our little fighter needs all the prayers, all the good energy you've got. Dean spiked a fever around 4:00 am. They did blood cultures and his white blood count went up a little than last time, but his CRP went from almost normal the last testing to 25 this morning. They did a CT scan and the infection has now spread to his brain/brain fluid. Neurosurgery doesn’t want to do anything as in surgery at this moment but they did tap his shunt to test the fluid. Neurosurgery is having Dean get a MRI in the morning. I asked if it would be sedated but the doctor didn’t know. Since I asked, they are starting him on NPO until after his MRI. They’ll start IV fluids at 6:00 am to make up for him missing his feeds and water. On the bright side his sodium has remained within his normal range. The good thing right now is his shunt is on the left side of his head and the infection is on the right side. Now that it’s spread though, I’m assuming if the fluid they collected shows the infection is in the brain fluid that they would then have to remove his shut until the infection is gone. They did have to put Dean on a little oxygen this afternoon/evening because he kept going into the low 90’s-high 80’s. They removed the oxygen about an hour ago but he just went low again so they’re putting him back on half a liter of oxygen. Dean needs prayers & all the good l, positive energy you can spare. We need them too. The encouragement & support is always needed. Thank you.

06/09/2026

DEAN UPDATE: Monday, 6/8
Dean got moved out of PICU today & back to a hospital room out on the floor. His sodium levels are much better. His hands do look a bit swollen though. He didn't have another seizure after yesterday's, so that is good. His infection is cellulitis & is still being treated by antibiotics. Everything Dean catches or gets is amplified by all of his other medical conditions. Please do continue those prayers & all the good energy for him, he needs them. Thank you.

06/08/2026

DEAN UPDATE: Sunday, 6/7
Dean was moved to the PICU last night because his sodium levels got really high. Once he was in the PICU, he had to have a central line placed. Today his sodium is a bit better. The bad news is that Dean had a full on seizure & the PICU doctor administered his emergency seizure medication. Please, please continue the prayers & good energy for Dean.

06/07/2026

I have to vent; Feel like I am losing my mind. Dean is in the hospital, in fact moved to the PICU (I will update more later), water in our basement...more than we have had to deal with in a long time & Tatum's room is down there. Bills, bills & more bills. Dear God, I need a few miracles.

06/06/2026

So far this year, in 2026, January is the only month Dean has NOT been hospitalized or had radiation. Since March 2024, when our nightmare began, I can't even tell you how many times Dean has been hospitalized. Some hospitalizations have been for months, some have been a few weeks, some have been a few days. Please consider sharing our information & Dean's story. Thank you!
Venmo: (last four digits if needed, 4524)
CashApp: $ShannonFender9902
Go Fund Me https://gofund.me/87adee69

06/05/2026

DEAN UPDATE #2: Friday, 6/5
We received some good news about a few things. Dr. Kaufman & the Infectious Disease (ID) team talked. The ID team originally wanted Dr. Kaufman to get a sample of this fluid to determine what infection we are dealing with. After they discussed this, Dr. Kaufman feels at this time, there is not a need for that or a shunt revision or external drain. Thank you, God! The MRI does show that there is continued increase in brain fluid. It also shows that the cystic portions of the areas of tumors are larger than the previous MRI. The main tumor itself, the hard mass portion of the tumor....has gotten smaller! Radiation seems to still be working on that at least. The other areas the tumor blankets, the ventricle fluid spaces, has not gotten smaller, but it hasn't gotten larger. The ID team is changing Dean's IV antibiotics from the 3 he is currently on to one. Dean will still be monitored closely. For today, we have a little good news & no surgery today. Thank you all for prayers, support & encouragement. It's all still very much needed.

06/05/2026

I want to say a great big THANK YOU to Staci & Tailgators Sports Pub & Grub for selecting Dean & our family as the recipient of their annual benefit golf tournament. Staci, Cassie, & all of the staff are absolutely amazing. By the way, go see them at Tailgators for awesome food & service. Thank you to Julie for telling Staci about Dean. And thank you to all of the golfers, sponsors & donors. We are forever grateful for all of your generosity & kindness. This means the world to our family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

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06/05/2026

Dean Update: Friday, 6/5
We will actually have more of an update later. We are waiting to talk to all the doctors, including Dr. Kaufman. Dean is currently on 3 IV antibiotics. He did have his sedated MRI with contrast yesterday. We need to see what Dr. Kaufman thinks before we know more to pass along. Please keep those prayers & the good, positive energy coming for Dean. We need all the support & encouragement. Thank you!

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06/04/2026

DEAN UPDATE: Thursday, June 4
We have been at Children's Mercy ER since 1:00 am with Dean because of the red, swollen area on his temple. He has had scans & blood work. They just took more blood for cultures. They also just started him on antibiotics. We are waiting to hear from our neurosurgery team. He will be getting an MRI with contrast & we do know Dean is getting admitted. That is all we know right now. Please pray & send good, positive energy for our Dean. We will continue to update as we find out what is happening with him.