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Five weeks ago, Brody Allen's parents learned that their two-year-old son's rare form of brain cancer meant he had two months to live.
The boy's family realized that he would probably not be able to enjoy another Christmas. So they decided to celebrate early, putting up a tree and decorations, and their Ohio neighborhood followed suit.
"In his mind, it's all about Christmas," said McKenzie Allen, 21, Brody's sister. "He woke up one day and the Christmas tree was out. He does not know it's not really Christmas. It's just enjoying it. "
Brody's health has deteriorated so that he no longer has the energy of a toddler or the use of his left arm and his left leg. He enjoys being outside, so he is often seated in a red Radio Flyer wagon, a blanket thrown at him and a hoodie pulled over his head, while his siblings drag him around their neighborhood. Township of Colerain, suburb of Cincinnati.
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There, he can see an inflatable Minnie and Mickey Mouse, a snowman, a Santa and a Christmas tree on the yard of Barbara Elliott, a neighbor who is one of six neighbors in the cul-de-sac Allens decorated for Brody. .
"I suggested to Mrs. Allen Pull-Ups that I had for my grandchild who was not taken to the jar, and she said that they did not want to do anything." were not going to bother with potty training because he had cancer, "said Elliott, 74. , describing what she had heard from Brody's mother.
"He broke our heart," Elliott added, his voice breaking. "Then I told my husband," We have stuff, let us decorate! "
Brody's family first learned he was sick after he complained in May of being stunned; a doctor said that it was probably an infection of the ear. The family was sent to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital for further testing, which revealed that Brody had four embryonic tumors with multilayer rosettes.
"One on his spine, one intertwined with his brainstem and two behind his legs," said McKenzie Allen.
"It's extremely rare," she said. "He does not respond very well to treatment."
His father, Todd Allen, 45, said it was a very aggressive brain tumor that he had had since birth and that we had no idea. "
He added: "It was in him from the beginning, just a part of who he is."
The hospital, which helped pay medical bills that Medicaid does not cover, gave Brody the most aggressive chemotherapy treatment possible.
This was not effective. One of Brody's tumors grew by 30% and he developed a fifth tumor in his brain. Using radiation to treat tumors was not an option because Brody was too small.
"It would end up hurting him," Todd Allen said.
There were no other options for Brody. The family decided to keep him happy.
"They tried to treat and that failed, but they gave us a family," Todd Allen said. "These nurses and doctors loved Brody as a person. They are just part of our family. "
The Allens decided to spend Christmas in September for Brody, but they soon realized that they needed more decorations. There is not much to sell in September, so they created a Facebook page called Team Brody and asked for help from neighbors.
"I was ready to buy them the decorations, but a lot was given," Todd Allen said.
Ryan Simpson, 34, who said he was "the Christmas guy" among his friends, was identified in the Facebook group.
"When I arrived, I really did not know what I was getting into," he said.
Simpson appeared at the door of the Allens with a plastic bag filled with lights and decorations, and helped the family decorate inside and out.
"When I arrived that day, Brody was out in a red wagon and his sister was hanging out," Simpson said. "I gave him a little gingerbread house with drops of gum, and it kind of talked to him."
Simpson returned home to add more decorations four days in a row. He also helped neighbors decorate their homes.
"My next door neighbor, who speaks only Spanish, has taken all his falling things, put snowflakes and poinsettias, and made garlands on his fence and lights," McKenzie said. Elliott.
"When Brody saw it, he could not believe it," Simpson said. "It was very animated"
People also sent Brody gifts and snacks. He has a feeding tube, but he likes to lick sugar from acid straws and sip blue Gatorade.
"We received 25 Christmas cards yesterday," said McKenzie Allen.
The community is now planning a Christmas parade for Brody.
"We had to get involved because he lives in our neighborhood," said 34-year-old Amanda Beckman, who spoke to the Facebook group. "We just wanted to do something to make it really special for them because they are going through a difficult time."
The parade is scheduled for September 23 and will feature Santa Claus in a fire truck, singers and superheroes. Some people just want to drive their car in the procession.
"Everyone wants to be part of it," said Beckman.
Brody has good and bad days, but with these efforts, he has a lot of good times.
"It's moving because I know it will be his last Christmas," said Brody's mother, 41-year-old Shilo Allen.
"It's really difficult, but I love seeing the joy in her eyes," she said. "We did it to make him happy."
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