Tractor Auction Will Help Defray Leesburg Tot's Medical Expenses
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
But then he started becoming very crabby and uncomfortable. Polk said Janel took Andon to the doctor, but the doctor couldn't find anything. The next week, she took him again to the doctor's office, but nothing could still be found.[[In-content Ad]]Andon started sleeping a lot, and his parents became concerned. During the next doctor's visit, he was given a CT scan. On Oct. 24, Polk said Andon, almost 8 months old, was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumor.
Three days later at Riley Hospital for Children, Andon underwent a 15-hour surgery to remove the tumor.
"He came out of that great," said Pam.
It did have an affect on his left side some, Polk said, as far as the use of his left hand and leg. However, he is getting physical therapy and is doing great, she said.
"He's pretty happy," Polk said of Andon after the surgery. "He's pretty content."
After his surgery, Andon stayed at Riley for about a week while doctors and his parents determined what to do next. It was decided Andon would undergo chemotherapy once a month for four months.
Tuesday, Andon was taken back to Riley for his longest treatment and will be at Riley for about two months, Polk said. She said Andon will get six days of chemotherapy, and then on the eighth day, he will get new stem cells.
When Andon previously stayed at Riley, doctors harvested his own stem cells, pulling one line of stem cells out while putting blood back in him. Polk said they then froze Andon's stem cells so they can use them on him later.
"His immune system will be down to nothing for two to three weeks. His stem cells will build that back up," said Polk.
After doctors feel Andon can be moved, he will stay at the Ronald McDonald House for about a month. Every other day, Andon will be checked out at Riley. When doctors feel Andon is ready, he'll return home.
The tumor could return. "We hope it doesn't ever," said Polk.
Since his diagnosis, Andon's family has incurred many expenses. Saturday, as part of the Dennis Polk Equipment Annual Spring Sale, corner of Ind. 15 and Ind. 6, New Paris, a John Deere MT tractor will be auctioned off at noon to help defray the costs. Harlan and Pam Wilson donated the tractor to benefit Andon. The Wilsons are long-time friends of the Polk family and their business.
Gary Polk is putting together a group to purchase the tractor. Once the tractor has been bought, it will be given to Andon with all the contributions. Anyone interested in contributing to purchasing the tractor can contact Gary at 574-527-3048, cell, or at home, 574-453-4865. E-mail is [email protected]
Jeff and Leslie McManus, of Heartland Auction, also have donated a John Deere Farm Implements sign to be auctioned off Saturday to benefit Zehring.
Anyone who wants to help the family, but can not make it to the auction, can donate to the Andon Zehring Fund. Polk said, "There is still an account set up at Lake City Bank under Andon's name."
Send contributions to: Lake City Bank, c/o Andon Zehring Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 775, Milford, IN 46542.
Brian keeps a journal and information on Andon online at www.caringbridge.org/visit/andonzehring The Web site includes a journal and guestbook.
Polk said Brian and Janel "are both holding up pretty darn good" through all of this. She thanked everyone for their prayers because prayer is the only way Andon has been able to get through it.
But then he started becoming very crabby and uncomfortable. Polk said Janel took Andon to the doctor, but the doctor couldn't find anything. The next week, she took him again to the doctor's office, but nothing could still be found.[[In-content Ad]]Andon started sleeping a lot, and his parents became concerned. During the next doctor's visit, he was given a CT scan. On Oct. 24, Polk said Andon, almost 8 months old, was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumor.
Three days later at Riley Hospital for Children, Andon underwent a 15-hour surgery to remove the tumor.
"He came out of that great," said Pam.
It did have an affect on his left side some, Polk said, as far as the use of his left hand and leg. However, he is getting physical therapy and is doing great, she said.
"He's pretty happy," Polk said of Andon after the surgery. "He's pretty content."
After his surgery, Andon stayed at Riley for about a week while doctors and his parents determined what to do next. It was decided Andon would undergo chemotherapy once a month for four months.
Tuesday, Andon was taken back to Riley for his longest treatment and will be at Riley for about two months, Polk said. She said Andon will get six days of chemotherapy, and then on the eighth day, he will get new stem cells.
When Andon previously stayed at Riley, doctors harvested his own stem cells, pulling one line of stem cells out while putting blood back in him. Polk said they then froze Andon's stem cells so they can use them on him later.
"His immune system will be down to nothing for two to three weeks. His stem cells will build that back up," said Polk.
After doctors feel Andon can be moved, he will stay at the Ronald McDonald House for about a month. Every other day, Andon will be checked out at Riley. When doctors feel Andon is ready, he'll return home.
The tumor could return. "We hope it doesn't ever," said Polk.
Since his diagnosis, Andon's family has incurred many expenses. Saturday, as part of the Dennis Polk Equipment Annual Spring Sale, corner of Ind. 15 and Ind. 6, New Paris, a John Deere MT tractor will be auctioned off at noon to help defray the costs. Harlan and Pam Wilson donated the tractor to benefit Andon. The Wilsons are long-time friends of the Polk family and their business.
Gary Polk is putting together a group to purchase the tractor. Once the tractor has been bought, it will be given to Andon with all the contributions. Anyone interested in contributing to purchasing the tractor can contact Gary at 574-527-3048, cell, or at home, 574-453-4865. E-mail is [email protected]
Jeff and Leslie McManus, of Heartland Auction, also have donated a John Deere Farm Implements sign to be auctioned off Saturday to benefit Zehring.
Anyone who wants to help the family, but can not make it to the auction, can donate to the Andon Zehring Fund. Polk said, "There is still an account set up at Lake City Bank under Andon's name."
Send contributions to: Lake City Bank, c/o Andon Zehring Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 775, Milford, IN 46542.
Brian keeps a journal and information on Andon online at www.caringbridge.org/visit/andonzehring The Web site includes a journal and guestbook.
Polk said Brian and Janel "are both holding up pretty darn good" through all of this. She thanked everyone for their prayers because prayer is the only way Andon has been able to get through it.
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