In December of 2023, Allie (Noah's long term girlfriend) awoke to Noah having a seizure in bed. Noah awoke shortly after to paramedics taking him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with epilepsy caused by a possible cyst found in his brain. In May of 2024, during a routine follow-up MRI, doctors reanalyzed, and found that the mass was a tumor in the hippocampus of Noah's right temporal lobe, within 1-2mm of the motor cortex. Without a biopsy, doctors guessed it was either a ganglioglioma (a benign type of glioma that most often occur in children), or a low grade glioma (which is often benign but can mutate into something high grade and malignant at any time. Noah was given the option to wait and continue taking anti-seizure medication while monitoring the tumor every 6 months, or biopsy and remove the tumor.

After consulting with top neuro oncologists, neurosurgeons, and neurologists around the country, Noah and Allie decided it would be best and safest to move towards surgery. Noah will be undergoing a complex craniotomy in San Francisco on 12/17/2024 at UCSF Neurosurgery under the care of Dr. Berger.

After a projected 7-10 days in SF, Noah and Allie will return home to Denver, CO and begin what is considered a long and difficult recovery. Dr. Berger has quoted that initial recovery could take anywhere from 6 - 12 weeks. During this time, the couple would massively appreciate support from friends, family and the community who are able. Noah & Allie have 2 dogs at their townhouse in Denver (Berkeley Hills area), and Allie works at a preschool in Boulder. Thus, they are grateful for any and all types of support, but there are a handful of things they are specifically looking for help with.

Best Ways to Support Noah & Allie Throughout Recovery:
1. Participate in the Meal Train
Bring a home-cooked meal for them to eat for lunch, dinner, or freeze for later. Alternatively, send meals from your favorite restaurants around Denver, or provide gift cards to DoorDash, UberEats, Grub Hub, etc. Noah & Allie are not picky but would appreciate well-balanced, healthy, and nourishing meals.

2. Dog Care
Noah will be on bed rest for several weeks, and their 2 dogs, Malakai and Redd, will need several walks each day, as well as food and water. If you have experience with dogs and are able to help care for the boys, especially on week days, that would go a very long way.