Chris found a wonderful article on the website below. Please beware though that there are things on there that are not for the faint of heart. After skimming through it myself there are things about treatment and time frames that I do not even want to think about. So please don't worry as I can't force myself to think of these things either. But it does do a good job of explaining the type of tumor she has and some of the medical terms that the doctors will be using. Here is the website: Remember she has a low grade astrocytoma.
Brain Tumors Brain tumors are the second most common group of childhood cancers, affecting approximately 2,300 kids each year. Treatment requires a very specialized plan involving a team of medical specialists. To read more, go to http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?cat_id=135&article_set=55802&lic=44.
My mom did a good job of explaining things last night. I know all of you were anxious for a post but I just did not have it in me and it was so late by the time we got her all settled and in for the evening. I have been checking email and am so overwhelmed by all of you who have sent prayers and offer of help. Thank you are such simple words, but yet I do not know what else to say....i know many of you want to know what you can do to help and quite honestly at this point I do not know. We have the kids taken care of through this weekend, but don't feel bad if I have not called on you yet - we have a long road and I will be using all of your offers of help at some point or another!
A good friend of mine who I talked with last night late told me she thought I was in shock and that pretty much sums it up. Thursday am I was yelling at Mikayla to hurry up and get her shoes on or she would miss the bus and 30 hours later we were headed down to riley talking with nerosurgeons about brain surgery! I am so blessed to have Chris as a husband. Without him I would be even more of a wreck at times than I am. I know his knowledge of everything medical is perhaps a disadvantage for him now, but it is such a comfort to me and our family that if we don't understand something we can turn to him for explanation. It is next to impossible for him though to turn off his "doctor" brain and just be a dad. He knows all the stuff that I don't want to think about. Please just pray for him that he can be a dad most of the time and pray for strength for both of us that we can hold it together and show a brave face with Mikayla and when we see Grace & Jacob.
Oh by the way I was able to stay at the Ronald Mcdonald house last night. I was able to get a few hours of sleep in a regular bed without hearing all the beeps and noises of a hospital. SAVE THOSE POP TABS as it is such a retreat if there is such a place here.
Ok enough about us...Dr. Boaz (neurosurgeon) talked with us again last night, showed us the pictures (x-rays, CT, MRI) and seemed pleased. In fact he is even hoping we can come home in few days before we start phase II - whatever that may be as at this point I have no idea. That would be wonderful, but I don't want to get my hopes up. Mikayla is such a trooper, from looking at the x-rays and seeing what all the pressure was causing in her head, I can't believe how bad her headaches must have been. She hardley ever complained! She still has her same spirit about her. She just woke up so I will finish this post later. sorry it was so long! - sasha
3 comments:
Sasha & Chris, Our prayers have certainly been with you and your family. We have added Mikayla to our prayer list a church. This blogspot is wonderful and we check it daily for updates. May God continue to be a souce of strength to all of you. Paul & Becki Felten
Elsie, one blessing in this is that the physical healing from a craniotomy is usually surprisingly fast, and if mental deficits show up they are usually much improved by one month.
Check your email; I have forwarded some info for you. Coincidentally, just today, I received my monthly newsletter from the American Brain Tumor Association (abta.org). There's a lot of caregiver information in this edition. At their website, there's invaluable free information about brain tumors, treatments, and many other things that you all are looking for right now.
I was going to wait to give you these websites, but it looks like you have the resources to check them out, and that you want it at this point.
Another good one is The National Brain Tumor Foundation (http://www.braintumor.org/TumorsSublanding/).
These are the main two that we used. The information we got from these two were the most helpful.
I will say that Sasha has the right attitude: some times you just want to stay ignorant for a while more. It's OK to do that; there's plenty to put you on overload.
Sorry this is so long; I hope it helps you.
All my best, Jean
Sasha and Chris, Thanks for keeping us updated, I've been checking in regularly. I am praying for you guys constantly. Sasha, I know we've talked about our "strong-willed" chidren often (Kyle and Mikayla) and I just had to think how amazing God is that he will use that strength in her to help her through this time!
Our Sunday School lesson last week was about trials that we go through and we read a lot of Bible verses. These are two of my favorites: Psalm 55:16,17 "But I call to God and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice." Psalm 29:11 "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." My prayer for you is that you will call out to God and he will give you strength and peace. I love you! Lori
Post a Comment