Dr. Rodney Finn Hestdalen, MD

I brought my son Daxton to the Spokane WA Sacred Heart Children Medical Center ER due to headaches that were worsening for a week despite conservative care that had successfully reduced his muscle tightness, muscle spasms (the size of large jaw breakers from his shoulders), and neck movement restriction and dysfunction. After a week of worsening headaches Dax vomited, without illness and without fever. It was at this point I decided to take Dax to the ER. The ER Emergency Pediatrician, Dr. Robert Truckner, was having a hard time getting any valuable answers out of Dax but persisted then performed tests on Dax which were negative other than palpable tenderness. He then ordered xrays which were negative. Doctor Truckner then decided to order a CAT scan due to my sons unexplained symptoms. The Cat scan was assessed by the Radiologist, Dr. Richard Brunkan. He noted the subtle changes demonstrated on the Ct Scan which showed my son had a brain tumor with brain inflammation (hydrocephalus)… an MRI was ordered and more detail was gathered. Dax was scheduled for an emergency brain surgery which was scheduled for the very next day. At this point we turned to God in prayer and fasting and were joined by friends and family praying for Daxton and his doctors. As well as support from family members and members of our church with blessing our son and caring for our other children’s needs so we can be with Dax! The surgery was performed promptly the verry next day. Dr. Benjamin Lang, Neurosurgeon, performed the surgery that removed the brain tumor without needing a blood transfusion. Dax’s condition post surgery was sufficiently stable that he did not require a breathing tube to remain in his airway. By 8:00 the next morning (right now) Dax was talking to us, moving his feet and able to squeeze things with his hands. He is still recovering from anesthesia from his surgery as well as additional medications he after recurved to keep him under for a second MRI this morning to assess for complete removal of the tumor. Despite these challenges Dax was able to drink some water at 9:00am without vomiting and will be eating breakfast soon. I can not express enough my gratitude to God, our friends and family ant to the doctors, nurses and support staff of Sacred Heart Children’s Medical Center in Spokane WA for saving Daxtons Life! I am fully confident they have done and are doing as well a job as could be hoped for on behalf of our Dax! We are still waiting for the tumor biopsy to determine if he has cancer and the additional treatments our son will require but we have been truly blessed from God, these good doctors and our friends and family! Thank you!!!