The family enjoyed the beginning of their cruise, but before they reached their destination, Idiana’s son Michael complained of excruciating headaches. After paying a visit to the doctor aboard the ship, he recommended Michael be seen at a hospital ashore. After many tests at the hospital ashore, it was found that Michael had a mass on his brain. Michael needed more testing and MRIs but could not be cleared by doctors to go back on the cruise ship or even on a plane.

Although an air ambulance would set Idiana back several thousands of dollars, she had no other way to get her son back home to be seen. So as any mother would, she and her family flew home via air ambulance to have the MRIs and tests Michael needed at his local hospital.

After all the tests were ran, Michael and his family received the devastating news that he had an inoperable cancerous brain tumor called DIPG. Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma is a very aggressive tumor and is hard to treat. It is at the base of the brain stem and comes from tissue made of cells that support the brain’s neurons. 

Although doctors say that Michael’s tumor is inoperable and that he may not have as much time to live, his faith in God keeps him confident that he will be healed of his tumor. Michael’s faith keeps his family strong and helps them all to hope in a miracle. 

Idiana wanted to lift her family’s spirits.  Because Michael loves school and is expecting to go back soon, she planned a middle school and high school promotion celebration for Michael and his brother Philip. To complete the celebration, Idiana called on Icing Smiles to create her boys a special cake to celebrate going back to school. Sugar Angel Yvette brightened Michael’s entire day. Michael and Phillip were so excited to receive their bright, colorful, two-tiered, Pokemon-themed cake. A top tier with all the Pokemon characters was creatively placed on a bottom tier that was designed to look like a poke ball. Thank you to our Icing Smiles Sugar Angel Yvette Rivera for keeping Michael’s faith and spirits high!

With Smiles,

Chasity Brown

Icing Smiles Blog Writer