The Fox family has now been at St. Jude for just over a week, and it’s been a full, emotional journey so far.

Upon arriving in Memphis last Sunday, they got checked into both the hospital and temporary housing. On Monday, they met Dr. Tlais, one of the top pediatric oncologists in the country, who specializes in infant brain tumors. While Olivia isn’t a fan of doctors or hospitals, she surprised everyone by really taking to Dr. Tlais — a small but welcome mercy.

Tuesday brought an important meeting with Dr. Klimo, widely regarded as one of the best pediatric neurosurgeons in the world. He walked the family through the specifics of Olivia’s tumor — its location, the brainstem nerves it’s touching, and how those factors explain many of the symptoms she’s been experiencing.

The next day, Olivia was admitted to the hospital for a high-definition MRI and a series of tests, including evaluations of her vocal cords, swallowing, and overall neurological function. The MRI results showed that some of her brainstem nerves are actually running through the tumor, rather than along its edges. This unfortunately limits the surgical option — Dr. Klimo had hoped to remove at least 70% of the tumor, but given the findings, he determined that only 40–50% could be safely removed, which wouldn’t justify the risks.

With surgery off the table for now, the focus shifted to treatment. Dr. Tlais explained that Olivia’s tumor features a BRAF fusion — a genetic marker that makes it potentially responsive to targeted therapy rather than traditional chemotherapy. There’s a brand-new targeted drug, just FDA-approved this past February, that’s designed specifically to treat tumors like Olivia’s. It works more quickly and often comes with fewer side effects.

The only challenge? It’s currently only approved for children over 2 years old. Olivia is just one.

For the past week, the family has been in a holding pattern, anxiously waiting to hear if an exception would be made. And today — praise God — they got the news: Olivia has been approved to begin the new treatment. She is scheduled to start on Monday, April 28.

In the meantime, Olivia has continued to struggle with her nasal feeding tube, which has added to the frequent vomiting. Because of this, her care team has recommended a more permanent solution — a GJ button feeding tube, which will be surgically placed into her stomach and intestines. While there’s hope that she’ll eventually be able to eat on her own again, this approach is the best step forward for now.

The week has been long and heavy. The St. Jude team, the housing, and the facilities have all been outstanding — but it hasn’t been easy. Olivia caught a stomach bug at the end of last week, adding to her nausea and discomfort. And although the hospital is incredibly thorough, that means a steady stream of appointments and tests — many of which Olivia finds overwhelming.

Her parents, Jason and Victoria, continue to hold onto faith even as they watch their daughter endure more than any child should have to. They believe with full confidence that God is still on the throne, holding Olivia every step of the way. They trust that He is using this journey for good, and that her healing will one day be part of a powerful testimony.

They ask you to keep praying — for strength, for peace, and above all, for complete healing for sweet Olivia.