Ups and Downs and some more Diagnosis/Prognosis

Today, like many, has had its ups and downs. Rebekah was somewhat traumatized this morning with the changing of her dressings. It's tough having a "bandaid" that covers 1/2 of your chest being ripped off, the incision for the central line being scrubbed, and then everything being put back again. Having to do this every 5-7 days bothers her every time we come near her with dressings.

She got to do a lot of physical and occupational therapy today which she likes. In fact this afternoon she was doing so well that she got to actually go to the physical therapy room and climb steps, play on a balance beam, etc.

She had not eaten at all since we got to the hospital until this evening. With mommy and daddy playing eating games with her we got her to eat 1/3 of a chicken breast, a few bits of salad and a few bits of cake. Believe it or not that is a lot during chemo or for a week after.

There have also been some treatment updates. Speaking of eating, they would like us to install a tube into Rebekah's stomach to make feeding her easier once the radiation therapy starts next monday. It is a "just in case" she gets to where she cannot eat from the radiation burns in her mouth. At this point we are not going to send her to another invasive surgery just to deal with "just in case." We really need prayer that the side effects of the radiation don't touch her. We are asking and praying that she come through the radiation without any of the "guaranteed" side effects they tell us will happen.

We also had some conversation with the doctor about some more spots they are seeing on the MRIs and PET Scans. It seems as they look closer that there is some tumor cross over from the left side to the right side evident on the first set of Scan's. That section on her right side showed to be very active on the first PET Scan at the beginning of this. The most recent MRI shows a spot they thought was still active. Praise that the most recent PET Scan does not show "hot" or active. But again, just because it is not active or clear that it is cancerous doesnt mean that we don't have to treat it. The "good" news that they told us was that they only have to treat with with "regular" radiation and not "intesive" or "boosted" radiation that they have to treat much of her left side of her head with. See above for prayer on radiation.

Rebekah was given a bear today from some professional collegues and friends of daddy. Rebekah has named him "boo boo bear" Don't know why but she is pretty adamant about the name. He is looking out after her:



Please keep us in prayer. Rebekah is doing the best that could be expected but we are having some tough times.