Mason William Madzey was Stacey and DJ Madzey’s little miracle baby. He arrived at 11:34pm on December 21st, 2007; a healthy, beautiful, true gift from God.
Fast-forward 10 years. Mason was your typical boy who was wild, crazy, and just fun to be around. He had a huge heart and loved helping people. It would put a big smile on his face when he had the opportunity to help others.
On June 22nd, 2018, the Madzey family received news that would change the course of their lives forever. Mason was experiencing some headaches for a couple of weeks. On June 22nd, they went to see the new Jurassic Park movie that came out that day. On the way home, Mason said he was seeing double. That night Stacey took him to Children’s hospital in Pittsburgh. Around 11:30pm that same night Stacey and DJ were shown a picture of a tumor the size of a fist in Mason’s brain… he was only 10 years old.
After meeting with doctors, on June 24th, Mason underwent a 6-hour surgery to remove the tumor. The surgeon was able to resect the entire tumor but didn’t know if it was cancer. It took 3 weeks to get the results… the longest 3 weeks of their lives. The result was cancer; Stage 3 High-grade Glioma. Mason was now a 10-year-old boy with cancer and he and his parents had to navigate this new chapter in their lives.
Mason received 33 straight days of radiation followed by 14 months of targeted chemotherapy. From July of 2018 until October of 2019, there were countless trips to the hospital for EEG’s, MRI’s, and blood work; he had seizures, headaches, and was even life flighted due to a possible stroke. Mason had multiple stays in the hospital, not to mention the stress, anxiety, and depression that comes along with battling this disease.
From October of 2019 to March of 2023, things were quiet, from a cancer standpoint. Every 3-6 months Mason had scans and check-ups, but all looked good. Mason got a job as a bus boy at a local restaurant and, despite all the crazy in his life, he made honor roll every 9-week period. Mason also found fishing to be his favorite past-time.
Then in March of 2023, Mason’s world was again turned upside down. He had a seizure that led him back to Children’s hospital in Pittsburgh. After a 3 day stay, and some meetings with his medical team, Mason and his parents learned the cancer had returned. The new plan was 10 days of intensive radiation followed up by 2 years of a new targeted chemotherapy. All the stress and anxiety associated with having cancer came rushing back.
In November of 2023, Mason’s doctors said the radiation and chemotherapy was not working and the cancer was growing. A 2-part surgery was now on the table. The first surgery entailed brain mapping with probes being placed in his brain for 10 days. Once the mapping was complete, the doctors would be able to see where they needed to operate in his brain to remove the tumor. In having this surgery, Mason faced with the possibility of partial loss of his eyesight; a 16-year-old young man who may never be able to drive.
The doctors felt that Mason’s cancer was advanced, and the surgery would only buy him time. They said with a recurrence of this kind of tumor the life expectancy was a year or less.
The Madzey’s had a family meeting. Mason was very scared about losing his eyesight, but the alternative was possible death. They decided to go ahead with the surgery.
On January 26th of 2024, Mason was admitted Children’s hospital, and the probes were placed on his brain. 10 days later, he had surgery to remove the tumor. After the surgery, the doctors spoke to Stacey and DJ and told them the tumor was very advanced and rooted in his brain. They also told them Mason was going to have some vision loss but wouldn’t know the extent until he heals. They were told Mason would be in the hospital for weeks or possibly longer… 3 days later, Mason came home.
Stacey was an operating room nurse but put her career on hold when Mason was first diagnosed with cancer in 2018. Taking care of her baby was her full-time job and the only thing she wanted to do. She spends countless hours researching the disease and possible treatments for Mason. She takes him to every doctor’s appointment, test, and therapy session.
They recently received the pathology results from Mason’s surgery and the results were stunning…..there was no evidence of cancer in all of the samples taken. The doctors have no answers for this and are still believing the worst. But the Madzey family’s faith is strong. They believe Jesus, and the power of countless prayers, is the reason why there were no signs of cancer. It is not uncommon to hear DJ and Stacey saying, “All things are possible with Christ….ALL THINGS.”
Mason is still in various therapies and needs ongoing scans, but he is healing well from his surgery. He has resumed fishing, kayaking, and shooting at the gun range. He does this all with 50% vision loss. Despite all the obstacles placed before him, Mason is committed to being a typical 16-year-old young man. He still has a caring heart and does not want Cancer to define who he is.
Mason has his first post-surgery scan at the end of April in 2024. Mason and his parents continue to have faith and pray that his scan will be clear.
Mason is an amazing young man. He has demonstrated strength through adversity that most could never imagine. He not only battles cancer, but he has also faced the loss of multiple loved ones at the same time; both grandfathers, his grandmother, his Aunt Lisa, his Uncle Carl, and 4 friends who also passed from cancer.
Cancer not only puts a toll on your body, it also attacks your emotions and the emotions of your family…depression and anxiety are a daily battle. But Mason and his parents have resolved to never give up.
Mason will continue fishing and going to the gun range. He will go back to work and will keep making honor roll. All are looking forward to seeing the amazing things Mason will achieve. The Madzey family appreciates all the prayers and support they have received for their family.
You’re amazing Mason!! ❤️❤️