Meghan has a rare brain tumor condition - pilocytic astrocytoma with leptominingeal dissemination. Basically this means a grade 1 brain tumor that has behaved "out of the norm" and has spread to other parts of her brain and spine. Her initial brain tumor was removed in Sept. 99. In Sept. '01 recurrence was detected with spread to other areas of the brain and also to the entire spine. Meghan finished her 18 month chemo protocol and spent a year off treatment. In April 2004, the tumors began to grow again so Meghan started another course of chemotherapy, followed by 6 weeks of radiation. We thank you for your continued support, prayers, and good thoughts.

Journal

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 3:01 PM CST

Happy New Year All -

Things are going pretty well here. We had a wonderful holiday - it was great to spend time with so many of our family and friends.

We had to switch up protocols again because the drug Meg was taking summer-fall was causing her counts to bottom out weekly and we just couldn't get enough of the medication onboard to be effective. So the Children's Memorial docs started her on a new protocol in November and this medication does not cause her counts to drop.

We had to go to Chicago weekly for the first 5 weeks of the protocol and so far things are looking good. Now Meg goes once a month for checkups and we do weekly blood draws locally.

We surprised Meghan on her birthday with a sweet 16 trip to the beach in Mexico. She was so excited. We had a wonderful time.

Meg will scan again in February. We hope this new drug is stabilizing things once again for her.

Thanks for you continues support.
Love,
Shannon

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