MUSCATINE, Iowa — When Lindsey Bassett saw her 5-year-old daughter, Alexis, lose her balance and fall during cheerleading practice in early January, she knew something was wrong.

Alexis’ coordination had always been fine, said Lindsey, 29, and the little girl had never displayed the mood swings she had begun to experience.

A concerned Lindsey took Alexis to her doctor in Muscatine who ordered a brain scan. That initial test  revealed a mass on Alexis’ brain stem, and her doctor referred her to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Lindsey and her ex-husband, Delbert Bassett, also of Muscatine, took their daughter to that        appointment.

Delbert, who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq in 2003, said receiving Alexis’ diagnosis on Jan. 15 was shocking and heartbreaking.

“The doctors brought in the laptop, opened it up and started showing us the X-rays of Alexis’ brain, slice by slice,” recalled Delbert. “It was a difficult night.”

Alexis was diagnosed with brain stem glioma, or clumsy child syndrome, and her parents were told that the cancerous tumor is on the portion of her brain that monitors her breathing and heart rate, which makes it inoperable. 

“As rambunctious and energetic as she’s been her whole life, I never would have thought she was sick,” said Delbert.

Radiation treatments to shrink the tumor were recommended and Alexis completed her final round of that treatment Feb. 27.

Since she began undergoing radiation, Alexis has developed kidney stones and was prescribed medication to break them up.

Lindsey said a urologist told her the radiation affects Alexis’ uric acid which causes the stones, but another doctor told her that radiation doesn’t have that affect.

“We don’t know what the reason is for the stones,” said Lindsey.

Initial medical resonance imaging indicates  the radiation shrank the tumor, said Lindsey. In April, Alexis will return to Iowa City where doctors will determine how well it worked.

Lindsey said there is a 10 percent survival rate for brain stem glioma and in cases where it goes into remission, the cancer has a 67 percent chance of recurrence.

 But she also knows researchers are developing new treatments and cures every day. For now, Alexis’ family is treasuring the little girl and devoting their energy to helping her regain her strength.

Alexis’ maternal grandmother, Tammy McGreer, 51, quit her job as a bank teller in April 2008, a position she held since 1996, and cares for Alexis while Lindsey works as a para educator at Illinois City Grade School and for New Choices in Muscatine.

McGreer, 51, had no idea her  granddaughter had any physical illness when she decided to quit her job.

“I told everybody God knew I was going to need a little break before this happened,” she said.

In addition to cheerleading with the River City All Stars, Alexis is a student at Happy Time Preschool in Muscatine.

“Happy Time said she can come in any time,” said McGreer. “Even if it’s only 45 minutes — and her classmates have been happy to see her. It’s been wonderful.”

Area residents can help Alexis’ parents pay for the medical expenses by attending a community-wide fundraiser at Illinois City City Hall Saturday, March 21.

“Our neighbors and friends and everyone are helping us,” said McGreer. “I can’t believe how good people have been.”

Details

What: Community benefit for Alexis Bassett of Muscatine. Alexis, 5, has an inoperable tumor on her brain stem and has just finished undergoing a round of radiation therapy to help shrink it.

Where:  Illinois City City Hall

When: 12 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, March 21.

Features: 

* The band Pulse Ox will play from 8 p.m.-midnight

* A raffle and auction

* B.B.Q. pulled pork sandwich lunch and dinner.