WACO, TX — Four-year-old Krizteena Analiza Grinie has a brain tumor known as diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG).
Her mother Maria explains, "It started off with weakness in her right side which worried us as parents, so we made an appointment for our daughter." After many tests found nothing conclusive, the family sought help from Cooks Children's Hospital in Fort Worth. After doctors called for an MRI, they diagnosed Krizteena with DIPG on June 15.
According to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, DIPG is an aggressive tumor that grows in the brain stem of children usually between the ages of 5 and 10. The survival rate is low because there is no cure for DIPG tumors.
Krizteena's family explained that while they have sought different opinions, they've been met with very little hope. "Second opinions now note they have no cure for this tumor. No surgery or chemo can save our princess, and other hospitals are just wanting to do biopsies and tests on her. And we don't see the use in putting her through all that."
The family is hoping to make the most of the time they have left together by taking their princess to as many amusement parks as possible to "see that smile on her face until we can't no more."
"She is spunky, spontaneous, very intelligent and doesn't let anyone or anything get in her way. She is blunt...truthful and loves everyone around her... I would also like to tell everyone who has helped and sent her gifts, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving us the experience of watching her open the gifts with so much joy! Thank you! For God has blessed us all, so we all must keep faith, because remember in the end, God has the last word," explained Krizteena's mother.
The link to contribute to the family's last adventures together can be found here.
