Finally, An Update

I know, we need to do better about updating this... that will be a goal for us.

Makenzie has continued to do well. She finally, after 2 1/2 years, stopped weekly chemo back in early November. Her last treatment was on election day. Of course, it was great to be off chemo but at the same time we worried what might happen with the tumor. After about 3 months of no treatments, Makenzie got an MRI on February 5th. The news was mostly good but there was a problem. Her tumor (pilocytic astrocytoma) is made up of solid tumor cells and cysts with fluid in them. The solid tumor cells still have not grown. That is great news. Unfortunately, one of the cysts has more than doubled in size to about an inch in diameter. Right now, it is not causing Kenzie any symptoms or problems. Her team of doctors met to discuss the options. For right now, since the cyst is not causing any issues, we will just monitor it and hope it does not grow or shrinks on its own. If it begins to give her any problems, surgery or radiation may be options to try to shrink the cyst. Pressure in the brain stem is pressure in the brain stem, whether it is caused by solid tumor cells or fluid filled cysts... and can cause problems since the brain stem controlls vital functions... but cysts are less difficult to deal with than solid tumor cells. So... please, keep Makenzie in your prayers, pray that the cyst will go down on its own so we can avoid a surgery or radiation.

As far as what Kenzie has been up to the last few months:

Our family made our annual Rainbow Kids trip to Turf Paradise for breakfast, lunch, tours, and a horse race. The kids went to see Santa at the Phoenix Zoo (also Rainbow Kids).

Our family travelled to Logan, Utah for a very white Christmas. It snowed pretty much the entire time we were there. The girls shopped and played. The boys went ice fishing a couple times and went to a Utah State vs. Utah basketball game. The kids built ginger bread houses, played in the snow, and enjoyed the toys they got for Christmas.

Since Christmas, Kenzie has gone to see High School Musical on Ice. She really enjoys all the fun things she gets to do through the various organizations around the valley that provide fun activities for kids with cancer and other life threatening conditions and their families.

Makenzie is looking forward to a week of skiing in Aspen, Colorado over spring break through the Shining Star Foundation... lucky dog. She's going alone too, no family on this one... just a few other kids from Phoenix Children's Hospital and a nurse.

We'll get some pictures up soon of all the fun stuff the kids have been doing.