Hi All - we have been on pins and needles watching a new "spot" that appeared on
Zoe's
MRI on Sep 16th. Possibilities were: radiation-related changes OR the dreaded
tumor
recurrence.

As we all know all too well, chances were good it was tumor recurrence. After 3
long
weeks of waiting for a follow-up MRI, we found out yesterday that the "previous
area of
enhancement shows diminished prominence." Or, as our doctor put it: "It looks
better." !

We are surprised and very relieved. A smaller spot seems to suggest radiation
changes
rather than tumor (which, with ATRT, would almost certainly have grown in 3
weeks time,
and would almost certainly NOT get smaller).

We know this result isn't a guarantee of anything. It's tricky to know for sure
exactly
what the spot is. Time will tell. We know that every single day with her is
indeed a
precious gift. We are still soaking her up into every fibre of our beings. And,
we are glad
for our "stay of execution", however long it may last (indefinitely, we hope!).

I know some of you have been on this rollercoaster, too. I try to ride the highs
when they
come, knowing that the lows will just as surely follow (or maybe it's vice versa
- the
highs follow the lows).

And, I am praying and thinking daily about those of you who are currently
dealing with
the dreaded recurrence. I am reading your websites, praying for healing, praying
for
peace, praying for a lovely and loving transition, if that's the way things
unfold.

My thoughts are also with those of you whose children have already transitioned
beyond
their physical bodies. I know you miss your babies so much. As always, I wish
that with
each foot you manage to put in front of the other, the effort of it gets easier,
and that
slowly joy returns and puts a bounce back in your step.

Hugs and love to all of you out there -

Mette Earlywine