Update

Good Evening All,
Tonight, I get bedside duty. Edgar has taken Sophia back to Family House for the night. They wanted to keep Natalia for observation. They have moved her to her own room on the pediatric floor, so, we are out of ICU...YEAH! Sophia helped keep her sister occupied most of the afternoon and even helped to feed her lunch. We have met some wonderful nurses, nurse practioners and residents during our stay here. Felix, her current nurse, says she has now set the bar for med taking. Natalia prefers pills because the nasty taste is over much faster so she just downs them while he has other patients that it will take him a half hour to convince just to open their mouths. We should be able to head home tomorrow after they release her. But that all depends on how fast we can clean up at Family House. They do not charge anyone to stay there but you do have to wash all your sheets, blankets, quilts and towels and clean your room before you go. That way it is ready for the next family in need. We spoke to DR Gupta around 4pm and he said we should know the results sometime early next week and to take her home where she thrives. Next week after he and Dr Banerjee have pow-wowed over the results and discussed treatment methods they would call us in for the go ahead.

Sue: I said hello to Korrine's father this afternoon but he was very distraught and looking for his wife. Please say an extra prayer for family strength at this time.

Much love to you all,
Roni

43008 Update

Good morning all,
Natalia came through the surgery with flying colors. We will problably be spending another night in the hospital so they can keep an eye on her but they will transfer her off ICU today. They say she is doing very well neurologically. How to know she was fully Natalia after the surgery...she glared at the poor DR who had to test her after the the surgery. He had the nerve to wake her up while she was in full snooze. She is a favorite on the floor because she is sweet polite full of questions and just "so darn cute." She will have a CT scan later on to make sure the area did not bleed and looks ok. We were told it takes 3 to 7 days for the results of the biopsy to be in. They are also going to be tapering down her dose of dexamethosone which should help her being hungry 24/7.

They cut her bandage into a heart shape on top of her little head. So definately check out the pics. Sophia has to check with the bears every so often they are part of her energy using walks.

Sue I will check the other ICU unit because Korinne is not in this one. I want to let her parents know she is in our prayers.

Much love to you all,
Roni

Roni Called

Roni called last night, and Natalia came through the Bio okay. The kids have to meet with the doctor Thur. on what is going to be next.
Ron & Nina

Biopsy

Hello loved ones,
Well our visit to DR Gupta was interesting. Natalia will definately need the biopsy. He will be making a 3/4 inch incision on the right top of her head and drill a small hole to fit the needle in. He will then go to the main tumor in the center of the brain rather then the smaller on at the top. On further inspection of the top tumor, it is to small to do them any good. She will have to spend the night in the hospital but then barring any complications should be released. We should know the full results of the biopsy by Friday.

Even when you know in your heart that he needed to do the biopsy hearing the words still sucked. You look at her and she so small. But she just smiles at you and says "ALRIGHT!!! I get to spend the night in the hospital." She loves the moving beds and attention she gets from the doctors and nurses.

Much love to you all,
Roni

Natalia

To start with I made my first mistake of the year, Nina said the tumor is at the base of the skull not the spin. Roni got a phone call from UCSF medical center, and they have to be there Mon. for a meeting with the doctors on what they are going to do. On Tues. they will do a Bio, and go from there. We will be so glad to get this over this waiting gets to you. Natalia went to school today to see her classmates Roni said she wanted to so she called the school , and they said it was okay. Let everyone know more Tues.

Ron & Nina

Natalia

To start with Natalia had her MRI and spinal tap yesterday no new tumors on her spin, and the tap looked clear, but still has to be tested. The kids will be coming home today the surgeon will call Mon. or Tues. to let them know what is next. We do know she has Three tumors in the middle of her brain that they have to get out and has one close to the stem cell at the base of the spin that they will use Chemo and radiation on. Thanks again for all the prayers they do help.

Love from the family,
Ron & Nina

Thank You All

Well to start with all your prays seem to have worked as Roni's call last night the Dr. does not think it's as bad as children's hospital had told them, but it is going to take time. Blood tests and a spinal today then they can come home for a couple days. Will let everyone know more, and again the hole family thanks you all.

Our Grand-Daughter

Our grand-daughter Natalia our daughters oldest who is 6 has a fast moving brain cancer they found Friday. They are taking her up to San Fransisco Sunday to see a surgeon. Monday they will be staying at the Ronald Mcdonald house. From what we have been told he is known all over for this type of surgery , if he can not do it she has 6 to 12 months.