Back to School

Aidyn had a great first day back at school--she gave it an "A"! We dropped her off early for choir practice, then came back when school started to go with her to class and talk with her classmates about the surgery and the cancer. She was a little shy about being up in front of her class but wanted us to help share the news with everyone all at once. It went pretty well.

Here's one exchange during the "question time":

Girl in class: (hand raised high) My auntie had cancer.
Me (Matt): (...wondering if I missed the question...)
Teacher: Kids, remember this isn't a time to share about yourselves.
Me: (feeling bad for the little girl) So how is your aunt doing now?
Girl: She didn't make it.
Me: (ummm...) I'm really sorry about that.
Me again: You guys know that there are lots of different kinds of cancer, right...?

Ahhh, fifth grade.

Aidyn's teachers, principal, and school nurse have all been great and are making the transition back into school really easy for us all. Of course, we're all lobbying for less make-up homework. We'll see.

New normal

Aidyn continues to recover well physically and make great strides. She is less and less sore and seems happier each day. She has been practicing this fall for choir at school and really wants to get back for that and the holiday performances they start next week. We stopped by after school today to see her teachers for a few minutes--she is loved! We are going to try a half day at school this Thursday. Can you believe that's only 8 days after major surgery? That's how well she's doing. But she still needs to grow her stamina so we are taking it slow and doing half days for a little while. And she needs to continue to strengthen her right side in the weeks and months ahead.

People have been kind to ask how we (Matt & Kristin) are doing. I would say that we still look back on last week in disbelief. The shock is wearing off, but there were so many emotions that we just didn't have time to sort out last week. So we still feel a bit drained but find ourselves wanting to get back to "normal." I describe it like we have one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake. The reality is that we are still figuring out what the "new normal" in our lives will look and feel like this week and in the months ahead. We could use an extra supply of God's presence and joy as we process all that.

We are scheduled to see the neuro oncologist at Children's next week on Thursday, 12/11. The team (neuro surgeons & oncologists) will have met the day before to discuss current cases, so when we go in they will be able to give us their suggestion for a post-op treatment plan for the remaining tumor/cancer. We are praying for wisdom for these people as they consider all the options for treatment--that they will pick the best plan to completely cure Aidyn. And we are praying that that won't include more surgery. Ever.

So we are waiting for that appointment and will be trying to figure out the new normal for the Wooley family in the meantime. A simple "thank you" feels rather flimsy, but we are so grateful for your care, encouragement, and ongoing prayers. They sustain us.

PS. If you're willing to intercede for us, the bold stuff above would be great things to be praying for.

We're home!

Aidyn was discharged Sunday afternoon and we are all happy to be home and together again! We kept Alissa out of school today so we could be a family today. Feels good, warts and all.

We came home to a thoroughly cleaned and decorated house. Our fridge was stocked too. We're pinching ourselves. Christmas lights were outside and in, a real tree by the fire, mini trees in each of the girls rooms, decorations all over... it looks amazing. Thank you for this thoughtfulness and the many, many acts of love.

Aidyn would love to see her friends and some smiling faces. The reality, though, is that all of our tanks are sputtering--we have spurts of energy and then nothing. So if you'd like to come by to say "hi" we'd all love it, but it will probably need to be short (like 10 min) for now. And, since it changes hourly, please call first to make sure Aidyn is up for it.

Thanks everyone for continuing to love us and pray for us!

pathology results

One of the oncologists came to our room a little bit ago to share the news from the lab--she hadn't even told the neurosurgeons yet and looked like she had practically jogged in. The news: Aidyn does have cancer, but it's a lower grade and less aggressive. If you want the technical name, it's a pilocytic astrocytoma. This means a.) the operation could have killed it enough, and b.) if needed, lighter chemo is usually very effective.

They have a weekly "tumor meeting" on Wednesdays with all the specialists and will be discussing then what the best post-op treatment plan for Aidyn will be. We were grateful to hear results today, this was a quick turnaround and another answer to prayer.

It is so surreal to say, "Aidyn has cancer"... on Monday morning it was simply, "Aidyn's right hand is a bit weaker." Even so, everyone agrees that things this week have gone very well. First, the surgeons were very encouraged by the surgery and did no neurological damage (amazing when you look at that MRI!). Second, this lab result is about as good as you can get while still talking about cancer. The oncologist said a different result would have meant "a very different kind of conversation" today. Yikes. And thank you, again, Lord.

After Wednesday we should know a lot more about what our next few weeks and months (and years?) will look like. Our next goal: get home. Thanks for continuing to pray for us!

Monday's MRI

Don't mean to gross anyone out, but here is the tumor they found on Monday... I made it small so you don't have to see much if you don't want to. But if you do want to, you should be able to click the image to make it bigger.

The tumor is the darker, bean-shaped mass inside the top of her spinal cord and just below the brain stem. The big dark void where her mouth/teeth would be is because her braces distorted the magnetic imaging.

The Latest

Just a quick update...

After another MRI today, it looks like 70-80% of the tumor was removed. Taking out more could have been dangerous, so the doctors were pleased with the results.

The doctors are still waiting for the full pathology reports to determine how to treat what's left.

Let's keep praying that these reports come back that the tumor is benign!

Aidyn might be up for visitors on Saturday afternoon, but is still taking things hour by hour. If you want to visit, you might call first to see if it's a good time.

Thanks again for your love and prayers!

We are thankful for...

A pediatrician who took us seriously the first time, consulted neurosurgeons, gave us his cell phone number, made things happen at Children's on Monday, checked in frequently, and prayed for us.

A MRI tech who called neurosurgeons before the tests were even done.

A good hospital.

Grandparents who meet you in the lobby of the hospital and keep your kids laughing while you freak out.

Friends who will pick up our other daughter from school and spoil her as long as needed.

Friends who will adopt our dog for as long as needed.

Grandparents and family who will drop everything (and some cash) and fly here to be with us.

For dozens of people gathering to pray for Aidyn the night before surgery.

For dozens of people who came to the hospital and prayed during surgery. Picture about 15 people, on their knees (not kidding), in a big circle outside of surgery waiting, interceding for Aidyn.

For the hundreds of people across the country we know and don't know who have been praying this week.

That the tumor "presented itself" to the surgeons. No searching around a twisted spinal cord needed.

That the tumor was firmer than they expected, which means it probably has been growing slowly and is less aggressive. Seemed like a bit of a surprise to the surgeons.

For hugs that last longer than normal.

For friends' tears--not because of sentiment, or for us, but because they deeply love Aidyn.

For movement and breathing in recovery.

For neursurgeons (several) who stopped by often and have taken the time to answer all of our questions (some more than once).

For connections with a couple of the nurses here (friends of friends).

That Gary & Ann know personally the pediatric neuro pathologist who will be studying Aidyn's tumor over the next few days.

For a God who has been patient with our wrestling with Him... gracious to our daughter... and understanding that our love of Him is not always as unconditional as it should be.

And most recently... for hand-delivered Thanksgiving leftovers!