I’m Caden Woltjer and I’m 12 years old. I live in Marble Rock with my parents, Bev & John Duncomb, 2 older brothers and 2 older sisters. I’m an uncle to 4 nieces and love and enjoy my nieces very much. I’m a 6th grader at RRMR Schools in Rockford. I’m involved in 4H and really enjoy showing calves at the fair and just being at the fair with my friends. I’m an avid military buff as my brother, Wes, is a Marine, my grandpa was in the Air Force and my Uncle Gary in the Army. I enjoy watching football and am a huge Dallas Cowboy’s fan!

I was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma a week after my birthday this past April. They found a ping pong sized mass at the base of my brain, and I was immediately air lifted to Iowa City to have emergency surgery to place a drain in order to release the pressure on my brain. 3 days later, I underwent surgery to dissect the tumor from my 4th ventricle near my cerebellum. Fortunately, they were able to get it all. However, it was malignant and I spent 15 days in the PICU recovering. At that time, I also underwent a lumbar puncture to detect if there were cancerous cells in my spinal fluid. Fortunately, none were detected. I was then able to spend a few weeks at home before going back to begin the first of 6 weeks of radiation treatment. I was able to have most of July at home and I got to participate in the fair and show a calf, thanks to some great people. I received Grand Champion Bucket Bottle, which was a great feeling!

We then headed back to Iowa City to start chemotherapy treatment and I am now 2 cycles in of 48 weeks of treatment. It’s been a tough journey but we’re a tough family and we survive! #CadensCrew

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