Local teen recently diagnosed with brain tumor has grateful and appreciative outlook on life

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – This August, Woodlands High School Senior, Max (short for Maximilian) Herrera, entered his senior year of high school taking the last strides of the 13+ year marathon toward greater freedoms, adulthood and independence. Uniquely for him, it will be the most challenging and life-changing year, as he will be vigorously battling for his future against the life-threatening brain tumor inhabiting Max as it’s ‘home.’

Before the devastating discovery, 17-year-old Max was happily living life to the fullest, looking forward to applying and attending college as an Interior Designer, which he has poured his passion through classes and organizations in high school. As he prepared to enter his last year of high school, he wasn’t expecting a turn for the worst.

When school began August 25th, Max began to receive mild headaches on a constant basis. For a month, he medicated his pain and disregarded it as a temporary discomfort. It continually occurred, gradually increasing in amplitude until September 8th, where Max and his family would realize something very wrong was occurring.

Max came home after school that Monday with an abnormally painful headache. Hoping it would be relieved once he rested, Max took a nap, abruptly awaking with a searing and immobilizing headache spanning over his entire cranium. Tremendous pain ensued and Max shrieked and wept. His parents, at home at the time, rushed to the alarm and sped him to the Houston Methodist Hospital. By the time they arrived, half of his face had fallen asleep.

“It was very scary, not knowing what I had or what was going to happen to me. It was just a headache before, now I know it can kill me.”

Once admitted, they performed several CT, MRI and Lumbar Puncture tests, deeming the cause of his pain to be a mass located in his right midbrain and right upper and mid pons. Unfortunately at that time, doctors were unable to provide a diagnosis; his mother had lost her job earlier this year and did not have the needed health insurance to cover the medical costs for a PETscan and additional testing. The family has since set up a GoFundMe webpage at a $20,000 goal, where friends and those who can donate may help pay his medical bills.

He was later admitted to Ben Taub where they were unable to perform a biopsy of the mass due to it’s proximity to his spine. They concluded he would need surgery to remove the possible brain tumor the size of a lemon. Overwhelmed by the suddenness of these events, Max sunk in his skin scared for his life. Once surgery was offered, he stayed strong and made the decision to pursue treatment and rise above his diagnosis.

His parents and family have been huge supporters and role models during this last month; even his sisters have flown in from Mexico City for the surgery.

“My family is amazing. They would do anything for me. I know how difficult it will be to pay for my costs, and for that I am extremely grateful,” said Max. He has been in and out of the hospital, resting and spending quality time with close friends and family.

His surgery was planned for October 2nd at Ben Taub, but was postponed to early next week. Yet, with all the difficulties put forth on his family, he has full-hearted hope for his recovery and prays the community supports his family and his desire to heal and regain his life. As soon as he recovers, he plans on traveling the world as he now has a new grateful and appreciative outlook for life and living every moment like his last.

The Herrera family kindly and sincerely thanks those for prayers and anyone who has or will donate to Max’s GoFundMe webpage, provided at the link below.