I ride for patients like Warren.
When his parents found out they were pregnant with their first child, they were ecstatic. When they had an early miscarriage scare from a subchorionic hematoma, they nicknamed him “Mustard seed” and leaned on their faith to pull them through. At the 34 week ultrasound they were thrown another curveball when they discovered a cyst on Mustard’s brain — and Thursday am as they prepared for a maternal fetal medicine appointment for more information his mom, Cheree, went into early labor as Mustard was ready to explore the world!
After he was born, an MRI of his brain confirmed a diagnosis of a Vein of Galen malformation, or a rare vessel abnormality in the brain where the veins and arteries are connected causing high pressure and increased blood flow. This malformation put him at risk for heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and brain injury. They immediately felt supported by their provider Dr. Wu and they were transferred from the Colorado Springs hospital to Anchutz where his first of many procedures began.
I met Cheree and Mustard after his first coil embolism (trying to decrease the blood flow to the malformation) and immediately felt like part of their family. When I came back the next morning – Cheree had noticed that Mustard was only looking to the left and wouldn’t turn his head midline. After many conversations and additional imaging, we discovered that his procedure was complicated by a small stroke. In Cheree’s words, “it can be overwhelming, but when you come across people who want to become a part of your support system it helps take the load off. We feel as though God granted our family an immeasurable amount of strength. We are very proud parents of his growth and how far he has come thus far!” It was an honor to have been part of his care and now his extended family!
Mustard is working hard in his therapies and is one tough cookie. He loves Ms. Rachel - and is known to nod his head back and forth in time to the music - and splashing in the tub during bath time.
It is a privilege to ride Courage Classic this year for Warren, aka Mustard, and I hope that in a few years he can join me in the family ride!
