Chloe Duttkin

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I am not Scott or Jess, but I do know Chloe well.  I am going to do the best I can to relay the details of Chloe's story until Jess and Scott are in a place to take over.  
I will start at the beginning. Chloe is an amazing 7 year old kiddo.... so incredibly full of life with the the perfect amount of spunk, excitement, joy and strength.  If you spend even 5 minutes in her company you know she has the BEST LAUGH... it is contagious and even typing this brings a smile to my face. 
Chloe is in first grade and has a pretty awesome older brother who loves her to the moon and back.


A few weeks ago in early December Chloe got what we all thought was a simple virus, a headache and some nausea.  Within 24 hours it was gone.  One week later the same thing happened, nausea and a headache in the early morning and then a few days later.. the same thing.  Jess and Scott decided they wanted to take her in to see her doctor.  So on Thursday December 21st they went to the pediatrician, it was to be a quick and routine appointment.  
Their amazing physician didn't like the symptoms and called a pediatric neurologist for a consult.  It was decided that they wanted to do an MRI and from there they actually decided to do the long version. This is a three hour test, Chloe sat so still I am told, everyone was so incredibly proud of her. 


They found a mass, located in the cerebellum. This wasn't the news they ever expected to hear. But even from the beginning, they were so optimistic. They were delivered what I would consider to be some of the most terrifying news a parent could ever hear.  But Jess said how the doctors were optimistic and they were as well. Both Jess and Scott showed such strength, I now know exactly where Chloe gets it from.  
Chloe was immediately admitted to the hospital and within 10 hours of Scott and Jess finding out; their sweet, courageous little girl was in surgery.  
The surgery lasted about 8 hours.  I am not sure there are words to describe what feelings they had and I wouldn't be able to do it justice, but I know it was perhaps some of the hardest seconds, minutes, hours they ever experienced.


The news from the surgeon was promising.  Everything progressed as they had planned.  They were able to remove nearly all of the tumor.  And it was a very large tumor.  At this time they are about 80% positive the tumor is benign but are waiting on the pathology report to come back hopefully later this week. 
By Saturday morning Chloe was showing just how much spunk she really has and was able to communicate that she really wanted her breathing tube out. I think we all took this as a very positive sign.  It was a great first moment to see her personality start shining through.  
Each day since,  Chloe has made small steps in the right direction. She has been able to sit up, stand up assisted from time to time and talk.  Even from the beginning it was clear how happy she was to see her brother! And Colton has been just as strong.  Being the kind, smart, inquisitive, thoughtful older brother he is. 


There is no good time ever... EVER.. for this to happen, but Christmastime certainly makes it more difficult, yet the whole Duttkin family has shown their courage, strength and resiliency.  When Colton isn't visiting the hospital, both Jess and Scott are taking turns coming home to be with him for an hour or two. 


Each day will have hurdles, but they are moving in the right direction. Chloe has an amazing spirit. She is  brave and strong, that is clearly apparent.  She is being cared for by the best of the best in terms of her medical team.  Her road to recovery is just beginning, but even just a few days post surgery things are very optimistic.