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Alayna was diagnosed with Epilepsy when she was in pre-K but hasn't had a seizure since she went on medication shortly after being diagnosed. Two years later she was still seizure free and they were able to take her off medication. At the end of Nov/Early December Alayna had a couple of subtle neurological episodes that Angie was able to observe. We were able to get her into the one pediatric neurologist in our area at the beginning of January (the same one who treated her several years ago). Her EEG a couple weeks ago came back normal. The doctor had also ordered a routine MRI for Wednesday, 1/27 which we were praying/expecting to be simply a formality. The MRI discovered she has a very large tumor on the left side of her brain. Given the size, the doctors and staff were amazed that Alayna didn't have more symptoms and can perform/excel at so many things in life. She continues to do great in school, working above grade level and her balance/coordination allows her to continue to add new flips during her weekly tumbling classes. After the MRI, the neurologist had us go to Peyton Manning Children's Hospital immediately and scheduled surgery for Friday morning 1/29.
Praises:
1. The MRI which was routine after Alayna’s couple of recent neurological episodes, the first since she experienced epilepsy when she was in preschool. Even though the EEG a couple weeks ago came back normal, they still did the MRI which we never would have found the tumor before something serious could have happened had that been cancelled.
2. The staff is amazed that Alayna hasn’t had any real symptoms outside of the couple small episodes she had. The tumor is on the left side of her brain and is 4in x 3in x 3in. They think it is a slow-growing tumor that started back 6-7 years ago and was too small to see back in 2015 when she had her last MRI. Given the size of it, we are thankful something bad hasn’t happened without us knowing it was there.
3. The 2nd MRI they completed Thursday showed that her spine is clear and further supports their thoughts that the tumor is not a fast growing cancer. They won’t know until they take it out. The Nurse Practitioner named the tumor Fred and Alayna and her agree that on Friday - Fred is dead.
4. The surgeon was able to reschedule all her clinic appointments to move the surgery up from next week to Friday, 1/29. She was also able to get all of the nurses and the anestesiaologist she prefers to change schedules and come in on Friday. She told us she has her “A” Team with her.
5. We feel comfortable with the surgeon Dr. Jodi Smith. We don’t really have a choice, but after more research she is very experienced.
https://www.goodmancampbell.com/2019/05/dr-jodi-smith-joins-peyton-manning-childrens-hospital/. A friend shared that she knows someone that told her that she was hoping it was Dr. Smith when she heard about Alayna, because they had a great experience and good results with a child they knew personally.
6. Angie and I are thankful for our families, church family, and friends. We feel showered with prayers, love, and support. Angie's sister is staying with our boys and helping take care of them during the week and her whole family is helping with them on the weekends. Meals are already taken care of for the next couple of weeks and then some, as well as a lot of snacks and fun things for the boys.
7. We are especially thankful for Jesus. I feel utterly helpless and have 0 control over the situation, but am trusting in the One who has 100% control. All of our "why" questions are not answered, but we are choosing to continue to trust in Him who has the answers and seek the supernatural comfort we have already experienced moments of.
Prayers
1. That Alayna would be fully healed. The surgery is scheduled for 7:30am Friday morning. Since each surgery is so unique, it could be anywhere from 4 hours to over 24 hours. The surgeon told us that she doesn’t rush and she doesn’t get tired, so we are asking that they can get 100% of the tumor without impacting any other area. It is sitting on top of her language and speech center of her brain and there is a chance that it could impact her strength and speech, so also praying that Alayna’s brain isn’t impacted and she makes a speed recovery.
2. That the tumor would be benign and she wouldn’t need any additional treatment post surgery. Recovery is usually 4-10 days in the hospital. Prayer for the shorter end of that spectrum.
3. That God would use this to strengthen Alayna’s faith and Angie’s and my faith. That they would allow Angie and I both to stay in the waiting room or Alayna’s room.
4. Right now they are limiting us to only one of us at time because of covid. Update: This prayer has been answered.
5. For us and all the other parents to stay patient. Due to covid restrictions, only one parent is allowed in the hospital at a time. Many parents are doing what we are doing, staying in a warm car in the parking lot and trading off every so often.
6. For the boys as they are worried about their big sister. Also, for Angie and I as we miss them so much as we want/need to spend as much time as we can supporting Alayna.
7. For Alayna to stay encouraged and nothing change in her sweet and caring character because of this trial.
