Rowlett 3-Year-Old With Rare Disease, Family Asking For Prayers

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ROWLETT (CBS 11 NEWS) - It seemed as though 3-year-old Adalyn Bedunah was just dealing with allergies. "It [ her right eye ] was just kinda puffy, a little bit red," recalls her Mom, Whitnie. After all, it's North Texas and who isn't bothered by allergies? At least, that's what the Rowlett parents hoped. "We were hesitant to take her to the doctor because I'd just lost my job," says Whitnie, "so I lost the insurance."

Still, the Bedunahs couldn't ignore the fact that whatever was happening was getting worse. An MRI soon confirmed a diagnosis so rare that even doctors were at a loss.

"The doctor had mentioned that it could be an aneurysmal bone cyst-- but, they just don't happen there," says Adalyn's Dad, Eric, "ever." But, it did. "Just seeing the mass and how big it was, you're just thinking like, what IS that???"

The Bedunahs later learned that there had been fewer than a dozen such cases ever recorded.

"It's in her ethmoid sinus," says Whitnie, gesturing to the upper side of her nose, "part of it has eroded through her skull into the cranial cavity. But, it hasn't reached her brain yet. We're hoping to get it out, of course, before it does."

The Bedunahs now rattle off complicated medical terminology with ease… having received a crash course in the past two months. But, one should not be misled by the outward calm. The couple, who began dating as teenagers, admit that it's a quiet struggle some days to keep their heads and hearts above water.

"My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and then I had lost my job," says Whitnie as Eric reaches for her hand, "and now we're going through this with our daughter. It's a lot to take on."

Eric, a full time student, says they have been overwhelmed by all of the support from family and friends—and even strangers. "People we don't even know—friends of friends—it's just not what you would expect. Sometimes you forget what people do for other people."

They both insist that they will never be able to fully express how much all of the help—from groceries to offers to help with lawn care, laundry, or meals while they're in the hospital, and especially the prayers--has meant.

"We even had a friend set up a Facebook page called Aid For Our Angel Addie to help keep people informed, so we don't have to keep repeating ourselves," says Whitnie. "Another set up a GoFundMe account to help cover medical expenses.

The experience they say, has been both humbling and eye opening.

"Don't take anything for granted," says Whitnie. "People complain about their jobs. Be happy that you have one. People think they're having a bad day. They should be happy that their children are healthy and they're not having to go through procedures with them. Be thankful for your family and friends."

They are also comforted knowing that their sweet "Addie" as they call her, is in no pain-- and doesn't sense their concern. In fact, the couple is kept busy keeping Addie and little sister Audrie from playing too hard. A team of doctors will likely operate sometime later this month. The surgery has already been delayed while physicians try to figure out a plan on how to approach the rare condition.

The Bedunahs are sharing their story in the hope that someone somewhere sees it, who has been where they're going.

"I would be so grateful," says Whitnie, "just to hear that it's going to be okay. I know it'll get better," she later adds with a laugh, "it has to."

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