BY CAMI KOONS
In May, 2-year-old Atticus Adams could run across the yard without problem. By December, the Eudora toddler could barely take four steps without falling over.
Atticus’s parents, Krista Beedle and Alex Adams, learned in late December that Atticus suffered from grade-four medulloblastoma, a cancerous tumor at the bottom of the brain toward the base of the skull.
Several surgeries later, Atticus is on the long road to recovery involving chemotherapy, many more trips to the Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri, and continued support from his community.
Atticus is supported in many ways, from cards at the hospital to a GoFundMe page. The family’s recent move to Krista Beedle’s childhood hometown of Eudora has also allowed her mother, Dianne Beedle, to help.
Signs of trouble
Dianne Beedle, a nurse practitioner, started noticing in November that her grandson’s balance was not right.
Krista Beedle said she took her son to his pediatrician and voiced the concerns. Bloodwork and X-rays of the toddler’s hips showed no issues, and the family was directed to physical therapy to help with Atticus’s equilibrium.
In hindsight, Dianne Beedle said there were other tests that should have been run by the pediatrician. The family had tried to see a specialist, but were told they couldn’t get an appointment until spring. Dianne Beedle said she was annoyed with the medical system and that it wasn’t until the family went to the emergency room that Atticus was able to get the help he needed.
“It shouldn’t have taken what it took to diagnose him,” Dianne Beedle said.
The weekend after Christmas, Krista Beedle said his balance “deteriorated.” On Jan. 4, Krista and Dianne took Atticus to the pediatric emergency room at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. A neurosurgeon knew within two minutes of seeing Atticus that something was wrong and that he needed to be admitted to the hospital.
“Honestly, if it weren’t for my mom being who she is, and being from the medical field, it’s hard to say if he’d be here right now,” Krista Beedle said.
Soon after, a CT scan revealed a mass about the size of a plum in Atticus’s brain. Doctors told the family it had likely been growing since his birth. The family was transferred to the Adele Hall Campus at the Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri and by 2:15 p.m. the following day, Atticus was in surgery.
“The doctor is extremely confident that he got it all,” Krista Beedle said. “Which is amazing.”
Krista Beedle said the Team Jack Foundation has been a great support and help as she has been able to connect with other families who have dealt with childhood brain cancer. Krista Beedle said she and her husband, Alex Adams, have received immense support from friends and family.
One friend, Robert Fleming, gathered community members through a Facebook post to write cards to Atticus while he was in the hospital. Fleming said he is working to organize a fundraiser to help the family financially as their future holds months of driving back and forth to the hospital and surgery bills.
“You do what you’re supposed to do, or can,” Fleming said. “It’s just rallying around a family.”
Atticus stayed in the hospital from his surgery until Tuesday, when the family was finally able to come home. Dianne Beedle said Atticus has to be monitored at all times, so she’s been there to help give his parents a break. She said it’s been an emotional experience, but the whole family works to be strong for Atticus.
“We all are going to break down at some point and cry,” Dianne Beedle said. “But we’re going to get back on our feet and make sure this little boy gets the help he needs.”
Atticus’s strength through it all is remarkable. Krista Beedle said her toddler is playing, laughing and acting like himself.
“You wouldn’t think someone who just went through all of that would be as happy as he was, but he acts completely normal right now,” Beedle said.
A long road ahead
Earlier this week, Krista said Atticus went back for an MRI to see if he would need a permanent shunt, a device used to drain excess spinal fluid from the brain. His scans looked fine on Monday, but Wednesday night, Atticus started leaking from his external drain. Krista Beedle said the family had to go back to Children’s Mercy and Atticus had a shunt put in Thursday.
The family was able Saturday afternoon to come home, where they will stay until Atticus begins preparations for chemotherapy at the beginning of February. The chemotherapy treatments are projected to take six months.
“So it’s a long road,” Krista Beedle said. “Hopefully he’s done and well by his birthday in August.”
Beedle said she’s thankful to be a stay-at-home mom and that she has not had to leave Atticus’s side since the surgery.
“I’m extremely blessed that I can be there with him,” Beedle said.
The family has two young teenagers at home, Keaton and Kaleb, meaning the family of five subsides on Adams’ income alone. Dianne Beedle said they will do whatever they have to do to make sure Atticus receives the care he needs.
Friend Jakob Barney of Evansville, Indiana, who started the GoFundMe, said Adams is the type of person who would give away the shirt off his back, so he wants to do whatever he can to support the family.
“It’s time for him to just be able to care for his kids,” Barney said.
The family is confident Atticus will remain strong through his chemotherapy and recovery.
“The blessing is that he’s here,” Dianne Beedle said. “He’s alive, and we get to keep going, and we’re going to fight this.”
Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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