The surgery left Jenna hemiplegic. She has diminished motor function on her left side. Her left leg is stronger now, but she will be wearing a small sole insert in both shoes (left larger than right) to help her stability. These small inserts are a huge measure of her progress. Jenna had to wear a small brace on her left foot for stability. This foot-ankle brace was shortened from a full-length calf-foot brace.

Although Jenna does have physical sensation in her left hand, she had next to no motor function with the fingers on her left hand, save her index finger. After only six weeks of intensive occupational and physical therapy at Kennedy Krieger's ICSCI, Jenna now can hold small objects with her left thumb and index and middle fingers.

She has adapted very well to the physical limitations presented her. Within the first two years of her life, she has had to TWICE learn to pick up her head, hold it straight, sit up without falling over, crawl, stand, walk with furniture assistance:), walk freely, and yes - finally -- RUN!! She does it well and gets better at running by the day.

Post-surgical treatment at CNMC in DC

After the tumor resection, Jenna had over a year of horrible chemotherapy cocktails of Vincristine, Carboplatin, and Temodar. None of them reduced the size of the remaining tumor. In FACT, the tumor started to grow back in the late winter of 2005.

So, "TEAM JENNA," at CNMC in DC, recommended Jenna for proton radiation therapy at Francis H. Burr Proton Radiation Therapy Center.

NPTC at Mass General in Boston

Jenna went through six weeks of daily radiation in June of 2005. Dr. Torunn Yock was the head of "Team Jenna" in Boston. I have to mention here that "Team Jenna Boston" included some of the greatest minds in medicine and PHYSICS - yes! PHYSICS. The entire team for Jenna and other kids, like her friend Tuva from Norway, consisted of folks from the 3-headed team, if you will, that makes up the NPTC: Harvard Medical School, The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Mass General Hospital itself. Their goal was to, in my terms, shoot the tumor full of enough proton beam radiation to kill it, but not hurt Jenna. The team finished Jenna's radiation right about at the midpoint of range of desired "rads."

Results

The six weeks paid off with some very good news with September 2005's MRI. Jenna's tumor was shrinking dramatically!!!

The December MRI showed that the tumor was stable again (not growing, not shrinking). However, the BEST news in December was that the tumor was not as "ACTIVE" - meaning the remaining tumor was not absorbing the contrast dye, meaning - the TUMOR was dying.

Finally, on March 9, 2006, one month to the day after Jenna's GreatNana Ethel became an Angel, the very Excellent news came that Jenna's March MRI showed that two of the three remaining "SLIVERS (2mm max in size)" of tumor were DEFINITELY inactive. She was then officially in the beginnings of REMISSION!!!

Her MRI in June 2006, provided proof positive of the power of collective prayer..."CANCER FREE."

The Future

Jenna isn't just a survivor, she is a THRIVER. Thanks to everyone who held her up in prayer to see this "cancer, cancer, go away, and stay away from our Jenna Rae."=)

Jenna IS definitely in a whole new wondrous world. She is thriving mightily. Growing physically, emotionally, and socially. We ALL know she's dealt with worse and is dealing with other transitions as we all are as a family.

NEXT MRI: June 2009

The Big Picture

While we all still celebrate Jenna's victory, Cancer is still the #1 disease killer of children. Cancer kills more children ages 15 and under than AIDS, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and congenital anomalies COMBINED.

46 children are diagnosed with cancer each day - each DAY!!!

FIFTEEN children die EVERY DAY from their existing cancers.

We don't want upset anyone reading this page. However, the number of children who contract cancer daily grows steadily. It robs children of having of what we (supposed) adults once had and still have - potential.

The numbers of new pediatric cancer cases and deaths of existing cases also grows higher by the day.

We can NEVER thank you enough for your support, prayers, and love.