Claire is scheduled for surgery on Thursday, November 29th. She remains at Sutter but we are expecting her to come home for a few days tommorrow. We would have preferred a longer stay at home between hospitalizations but it is important to get in and take out the questionable tumor.

We will enjoy the quick stay at home with Claire and look forward to a successfull surgery on Thursday. We will stay positive and know that Claire can do it one more time.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

Just our Luck

Hello all,

Well this ride continues. As most of you know, Claire was scheduled for the brain surgery on Thursday, November 15th. After a few day's away as a family we returned to Sacramento on Wednesday to prepare for the surgery. Claire was admitted Thursday morning and was in great spirits and seemed physically strong. With family around her in the pre-op room she laughed and played arts-n-crafts. After informing her Aunt Erin of the need to use the potty she returned to her bed. Soon after she began with an episode of the chills and became increasingly agitated. Shannon and I could not believe our eyes and before heading to the pre-op MRI she presented with a fever. On we went to MRI with Claire continuing a decline in health. Ourt neuro-surgeon met us in MRI and with a brief discussion she was put to sleep and taken into the MRI (from where she would head directly into the O.R). Within minutes the surgeon came to Shannon and I to inform us that Claire was very hot (103) and at the end of the MRI she would be admitted to the 6th floor oncology wing and the surgery could not be performed due to the circumstances. The news was hard to swallow having prepared ourselves for the surgery. It was in Claire's best interests but still difficult news. So Claire is now once again residing on the 6th floor to battle a new infection. We did have Claire's broviac removed on Thursday with the concern that the broviac may be harboring the infection.

We will update when possible. The surgery will most likely be on December 3rd, but we have learned that there are no guarantees.

Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

November 5th

Claire was admitted to Sutter Memorial early on Wednesday, October 31st. As if the news of a possible recurring cancer and surgery was not enough, she presented with a high fever not long after the last post. Claire did not have a low white blood count at the time so we attempted to manage the fever with tylenol. After peaking at 103 at 5:00 am, we called the doc to prepare for her arrival at Sutter. The process that we are so familiar with began again. She was hooked up to general anti-biotics and IV fluids and blood was drawn to culture for infection. The general rule is a 48 hour observation for bacterial growth. At hour 48 Claire was clear and preperations began for the Monday surgery. As she and Shannon were set to head down for the initial pre-op MRI a nurse entered informing them that the culture was growing and positive for staph. Being mentally prepared to have your child undergo brain surgery is a tough process. Getting there and having a delay is flat torture. So Claire will now undergo a 10-14 day regimen of high dose anti-biotic to clear the infection. As much as we want to get the questionable growth out, the risks are too high for surgery at this point. She will be monitored and when her neurosurgeon and oncology team feel it is safe,she will have the procedure.

On a positive note, Claire was able to come home tonight. We were able to locate the needed anti-biotics in a form that the team felt comfortable with for home treatment. It was not the favored choice by the Doc's but we felt strongly about getting Claire home for a stay before going back for the surgery. She certainly is rigged properly with her double broviac and GT feeding tube for home care.

It is a tough time with much anxiety and thought. But as always we will focus on the positive's and Claire's amazing spirit. We will update when we can.

Believe in Claire and KNOW SHE CAN.