Fund to benefit Hershberger family

  • By Lisa Amstutz of The Bargain Hunter
  • November 2, 2009
  • 837
                        
“Every day we have with him, we’re living on borrowed time,” said Carrie Hershberger. When her son Trinnen was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in September, doctors gave the child only a month, maybe two, to live. That first month has already passed. Little Trinnen is only 19 months old. “Everything flipped upside down in a matter of one day. It’s been like having a bad dream and not being able to wake up. Only it’s not a dream—it’s real,” said Jr. Hershberger, Trinnen’s father. He looked down at the sleeping boy who lay in his arms, wrapped in a blanket. Trinnen was a healthy, active little boy until September of this year. The Hershbergers took him to the doctor on Sept. 16, after noticing several unusual symptoms: Trinnen wasn’t using his right hand, his fingers were curled, his left eye drooped and he stumbled more than usual. The family doctor sent them to Akron for tests, which revealed a tumor inside his brainstem. This type of cancer, known as a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, is very rare in children under three. Sadly, there is no curative therapy or surgery available. A few days after this heartbreaking diagnosis, Trinnen and his parents traveled to Pittsburgh for a second opinion and further testing. There they learned that the tumor had cut off the normal drainage of brain fluid, creating a pocket of fluid that was pressing on the little boy’s brain. Doctors performed emergency surgery to put in a shunt and relieve the pressure. Trinnen recovered well from the surgery and showed some improvement for a short time. In light of Trinnen’s age and lack of viable treatment options, the Hershbergers decided to bring him home and spend as much family time together with their son and four-year-old daughter Eden as possible. Trinnen is now a Hospice patient and receives pain medications at home as needed. He has always loved being outdoors, visiting the barn, and having truck or tractor rides, and has continued to enjoy these activities when the weather permits. The Hershbergers’ faith and the support they feel from their family, church (Pleasant View Mennonite of Millersburg) and community have sustained them this past month as they have struggled to adjust to their new reality. “The support we have felt is unbelievable,” said Jr. “There have only been one or two days with no visitors. Many meals have been brought in. We just can’t say enough about our family, church and community.” Carrie echoed Jr.’s sentiments. “We work with the youth at church and are used to ministering to people, but you don’t know how it feels until you’re on the other end,” she said. Carrie set up a blog, called A Mother’s Update on Trinnen at www.trinnen.blogspot.com, as a way to get her feelings out and to keep family and friends updated on Trinnen’s condition. “We want to thank everybody for their prayers,” said Jr. “Our faith and people’s prayers are what’s keeping us going.” The Pleasant View Mennonite Church has set up a benefit fund to assist the family with expenses. Anyone who would like to contribute to the fund can either stop in at any Killbuck Savings Bank branch or mail a check to the Killbuck Savings Bank, P.O. Box 157, Mt. Hope 44660. Checks should be made out to Killbuck Savings Bank and designated for The Jr. and Carrie Hershberger Benefit Fund. Donations may also be given through Pleasant View Mennonite Church, 3391 U.S. 62, Millersburg 44654-8334, with checks written to the church and designated as above.


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