Tricia Skipworth is anxiously looking forward to returning to Farwell Middle School.
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A 12-year-old student from Clare, Skipworth has been out of school since January when it was detected she had four tumors, including two cancerous ones.
“It all started with pain in her neck,’ said Tricia’s father, Charles Skipworth.
Tricia’s pediatrician, Dr. Virna Cassidy found a lump on her neck and did an MRI to be safe.
“Dr. Cassidy called us back two hours after we left her office with the results and said we should head right to Ann Arbor,’ Charles Skipworth said.
It was discovered that Tricia had cancerous tumors along the spinal cord and brain stem, and non-cancerous ones, called Neurofibromatosis or NF2, on the side of the neck and ear. NF2 affects the central and peripheral nervous systems where the tumors develop on the nerve tissue.
Once the discovery was made, the next step for the Skipworths was to get Tricia to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Tricia underwent an 11-hour surgery Jan. 19 to remove the tumor on her brain stem. She was hospitalized for a month.
Following the first surgery, Tricia returned to U-M March 2 for a second surgery to remove the spinal cord tumor. The spinal cord and brain stem tumors had a form of cancer called ependymoma. A rare type of brain tumor that develops from the ependymal cells that line the ventricals and central canal of the spinal cord, the cause of it is unknown.
Just over three months after her first surgery, Tricia said she is feeling pretty good right now.
“I really miss my friends and teachers,’ she said. “I can’t wait to go back to school.’
Returning to Ann Arbor on April 7 for a check-up, Charles Skipworth said the appointment will help him and his wife, Kathy, learn more about Tricia’s options for radiation therapy.
“The doctors want her to get her strength back before she starts radiation,’ he said.
Although the exact cause of the problem is not known, Charles Skipworth said the doctors are looking at the possibility of genetics.
With there being a chance of genetics, and because Charles lost both his grandfathers to cancer, the Skipworths are considering having their other four children tested.
“It’s pointing more toward that,’ Charles Skipworth said of genetics playing a role.
When all the tests are done and Tricia regains her strength, doctors have said she should be able to return to her normal activities.
“She’s really strong and is a real trooper,’ Charles Skipworth said.
Showing just how determined Tricia has been, her father said the doctors were shocked she was able to walk before the operations.
“They were amazed she was even walking around because the pressure from the tumors was so high.’
Friends of Tricia’s have stepped up with the “Tricia’s Hope Benefit Soup Supper, Kids Carnival, and Live Auction’ April 9 at Farwell Elementary School.
The soup supper and carnival will go from 4 to 7 p.m., with the auction starting around 7:30.
A secretary at Farwell schools for nine years, Rhonda Boedecker became friends with the Skipworth family during this time. Boedecker helped organize the event with a committee of seven others.
“We just wanted to help them out and we knew they didn’t have a lot of extra money to go back and forth to Ann Arbor,’ Boedecker said. “Something just told me to do this and I ran with it.’
The school has already raised $500 for Tricia by selling red wristbands with black lettering saying “Tricia’s Hope’ for $1 each.
Farwell High School’s football team has also helped out by giving half of the money from their football wristband sales to Tricia’s cause. Farwell Middle School sixth graders raised $1,000 with a “Penny War.’
“The Farwell and Clare area communities have been very supportive and caring,’ Boedecker said. “It’s just been so overwhelming with everybody trying to help in any way they can.’
Surprised her classmates would go to such supportive measures, Tricia said it makes her feel good.
“I didn’t know they would do all this for me,’ she said. “I just thought they would send me cards or something.’
Charles Skipworth echoed those sentiments.
“I can’t believe all the people around offering help,’ he said. “It shows you who your friends are.’
Tickets for the all-you-can-eat soup supper are $5 and are available at the door or by calling Boedecker at 989-544-3046. Children under 3-years-old are free.
Carnival tickets are 25 cents each and includes a variety of kids games, clowns from Michigan Clown Association, art students doing face painting, and a pie in the face contest. Fire departments from Garfield, Surrey, and Lincolm Townships will also be helping out at the carnival.
For more information or to make a donation call Boedecker at the above number or Brenda Peterson at 989-544-3735.
