Dear Love Bus Supporter,

I'm Molly, mom to three wonderful boys: Charlie, Teddy, and Jackie. Our Connecticut home is filled with the love, laughter, and lively energy of three young boys and a new puppy! My husband Ryan and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Charlie, 11, is our thoughtful old soul who loves baseball and looks out for his brothers. Teddy, 9, has a sweet, funny nature and never skips a goodnight hug for everyone—even the dog! Three-year-old Jackie is our little spark, bringing endless joy to our family.

But behind our warm and happy family lies a journey we never anticipated—a journey that began when Teddy was just two years old. During a seemingly ordinary summer evening, Teddy suddenly began screaming in pain of a headache, then vomited. Despite a normal pediatric checkup the next day, Teddy’s symptoms worsened. He could barely stand and his heart rate was dangerously low, prompting an urgent trip to the ER. An MRI quickly revealed that there was a large mass in Teddy’s brain, one that had been silently growing over the first two years of Teddy’s life. He was diagnosed with a pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA), a low-grade glioma. He was immediately admitted to the hospital and put on a steroid treatment. Just 36 hours after arriving at the hospital, my little two year old had to undergo emergency brain surgery. Although the craniotomy saved his life, it also caused irreversible damage.

Over the next two months, Ryan, Teddy, and I lived in the hospital as Teddy’s condition was touch-and-go. Charlie stayed at home with my mom as we tried to give him some semblance of normalcy. While at the hospital, Teddy endured a nightmare of complications: strokes, seizures, multiple blood transfusions, and ultimately the loss of his sight. His endocrine system was permanently compromised, meaning he can no longer produce vital hormones on his own, like those responsible for regulating metabolism, growth, mood, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels. Though it was partially removed, much of the tumor remains embedded, and Teddy will face lifelong challenges as a result.

Since his diagnosis, Teddy has completed four chemotherapy protocols and undergone four surgeries; he has not gone a single year without treatment since he was two years old. Managing his healthcare is incredibly challenging because there are so many variables and unknowns. We're not just fighting the tumor—it's also the seizures, the visual impairment, and his endocrine issues. Every decision we make has to factor in how one treatment will affect everything else. It’s always two steps forward and one step back, but we stay hopeful, even when the setbacks keep coming.

Our family’s life has been deeply impacted: I had to leave my job as an ER nurse, and Ryan tries to work from home as much as possible to help out around the house. Our family’s ability to take annual vacations, attend events like birthday parties, or even just spend time all together has been severely limited. As for Charlie and Jackie, they’ve had to adjust to a reality most children don’t face. Jackie, who is still so little, often asks me before bed, “Mommy, you’ll be here in the morning?” because too often he has woken up to find me or me and Ryan gone in the night for another ER visit. As for Charlie, who was only four when Teddy was diagnosed, he’s carried a significant emotional burden. Initially, he seemed to be coping well, but as he grew older and more aware of the severity of Teddy’s condition, it became harder for him– it breaks my heart to see how mature he has to be.

Through Lucy’s Love Bus, and thanks to donors like you, we’ve found incredible support that extends to all our boys– individualized to help with each boy’s specific needs. Neurofeedback therapy helped Charlie manage his anxiety and fears during a particularly tough period. Having something that Charlie had just for himself, and giving him the time and space to talk about how he was feeling and empowering him with tools to manage those feelings– was so helpful. Today, Love Bus supports Charlie’s jiu-jitsu classes and Jackie’s swim lessons—activities that build their confidence and give them a space all their own to work through any challenges they face.

For Teddy, Lucy’s Love Bus provides weekly craniosacral therapy (CST), which has been essential for his comfort. CST (pictured left) helps relieve tension and improve fluid flow around his brain—something that’s become even more critical since he had a shunt placed. This therapy isn’t covered by insurance, but it’s made a huge difference in Teddy’s quality of life.

This journey has been incredibly hard, upending our lives and deeply affecting our whole family. Without Lucy’s Love Bus, these life-changing therapies that bring our boys relief—and give us as parents a sense of control amid the helplessness—would be beyond our reach. It’s not just about a cure; it’s about giving my family the chance to live right now. Thank you for helping to support families like mine, ensuring that we have moments of joy and comfort along the way - we are so grateful!

With love and gratitude,
Molly, mom to Charlie, Teddy, & Jackie