Brady Mortimer, 3, of Junction City, Kan., lost his five-month battle to a rare kind of brain cancer (atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor) on Aug. 4. He is the son of 2000 Lincoln Academy graduate Jason Mortimer and his wife Katy. He was born on June 23, 2009 in Manhattan, Kan.
Brady’s symptoms began early in with complaints of headaches and eye pain, and nausea and vomiting. The Mortimers were told it was just a virus by their primary care physician. The symptoms kept getting worse, and in March Katy Mortimer demanded a CT scan, which revealed a massive brain tumor. Two days later, Brady underwent an eight-hour surgery. They learned the next day, on March 15, that Brady had at-rt cancer and had less than a 20 percent chance of survival. The rare cancer was caused by a genetic mutation, which has been identified for less than 10 years.
Three weeks after surgery, Brady had a follow-up MRI which revealed six more tumors, including two on his spine. Two of the tumors continued to grow despite an aggressive round of chemotherapy. Although Brady was miserable with the side effects of the chemotherapy, his bubbly personality continued to shine through with smiles, laughter, screams of delight, and a great sense of humor.
Brady was predeceased by his great-grandfather, Robert Mortimer, and great-great-grandmother, Isabelle Davis, both of whom passed away this year.
He is survived by his parents Jason and Katy; seven-year-old brother Andrew; and Maine relatives – grandparents Bob and Marsha Mortimer of Bremen, and Sally and Jeff Kenniston of Warren; great-grandparents, Doris Mortimer of Bremen, Alice Poland of Damariscotta; great-grandfather, Ernest Poland of Bristol; great-great-grandmother, Evelyn Gifford; and many aunts and uncles including Christopher Hack, Rebecca Kenniston, Jane Oliver-Gravel, Leon Oliver, Allen Oliver, David Mortimer, Nancy and John Destinoble, Tricia and Bob Doughty, David and Elaine Poland, and Susanne and Jimmy Gilbert; and numerous cousins and family members.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Prayers for Brady at Meritrust Credit Union, Penwell Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington St., Junction City, KS 66441.
