Ethan: A Cheeky Sense of Humor and a Sparkling Smile
As we recognize Bereaved Parents Awareness Month this July, we’re honored to share Ethan’s story. We thank the Tacheny Family for sharing his inspirational journey.
Ethan loved books, collecting stuffed animals, the ocean, helping Papa make pancakes, snuggling with Mama, family pizza and movie nights, chocolate ice cream, playing pirates with his brothers, and all things Disney. His mom remembers Ethan as her “cheeky monkey that had those eyes that would bore right into your soul, and this smile that would just sparkle.” He was the special middle brother with a close sibling bond who loved his brothers and adored being the big brother to William and the little brother to Sam.
Ethan was diagnosed with a low-grade pontine glioma in May 2014, at three and a half years old. His journey began with a visit to see a pediatric ENT due to speech delays, before proceeding with speech therapy. Upon initial examination the doctor found his vocal cord was paralyzed but all else looked good. A full MRI was ordered, and that was when Ethan’s brain tumor was discovered. The first medical team was hesitant to call Ethan’s tumor a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), so he received chemotherapy for 12 weeks with regular MRIs to check progress. Ethan’s tumor remained stable. That all changed on December 26, 2014, when Ethan’s condition declined rapidly due to hydrocephalus caused by massive tumor growth. His family transitioned his care to a local children’s hospital, where he spent the next 7 weeks inpatient while he received radiation protocol and rehabilitation therapy. Ethan lost his ability to eat, speak, and walk.
As a surprise to all, one day Ethan woke up able to talk and walk again and even rode his bike and scooter. During this short time, Ethan and his family enjoyed making magical memories together at his Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland in spring of 2015.
In early June 2015, an MRI revealed tumor growth, and the medical team diagnosed Ethan’s tumor as a DIPG. After fourteen grueling months on his brain cancer journey, Ethan’s final decline was heartbreakingly rapid. Ethan passed away with his family by his side, resting at home on the afternoon of July 30, 2015.
The Tacheny family recalls the tremendous support their family received throughout Ethan’s journey from their community and from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. One memory they will never forget was Ethan having the time of his life dancing at the PBTF Starry Night Walk to Cure Childhood Brain Tumors, prior to his passing. They are thankful for the overwhelming support they received from the PBTF West Region. After Ethan’s passing, the family attended We Can Have Hope grief camp in Southern California. Mom described camp as comforting to be around other families who have gone through the same experience. You feel that you are not alone on this grief and loss journey.
Each year Ethan’s brothers host a lemonade and cookie stand and donate all the proceeds on the anniversary of his passing. The family wants to keep his memory alive and is committed to attending the Starry Night Walk to Cure Childhood Brain Tumors held in Los Angeles so they can light a blue lantern in his honor, along with all eternal stars who have lost their brave battle against a pediatric brain tumor.
To learn more about our Starry Night Walk to Cure Childhood Brain Tumors held across the nation, check out 2021 My Starry Night: How Far Will You Walk for a CURE?.
