I'll try and give just a brief update. I've been putting it off because there is just too much information to make it clear. We found out a couple of days ago that we do, indeed, have surgery as an option. This was taken off the table pretty early on based on the involvement of the tumor in her spine. After extensive tests and talks with the doctor, he believes and we are in agreement with him, that a Gross Total Resection is the best option for Gabrielle right now.
This would completely take chemotherapy out of the pictures right now. Surgically, it's a very big operation. It would involve a general peds surgeon and a peds neurosurgeon, an incision not only in her abdomen but also in her back, and probably a total of about 10 hours.
Our decision now is whether we stay here at DeVos in Grand Rapids or head out to New York to have the surgery done at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. We love the staff here (including the general peds surgeon who would be working on her) but are definitely wondering if it is better to go somewhere where they just do more of these types of surgeries per year. Numbers-wise, the surgeons at Sloan have more experience.
We need to make this decision soon. Please pray for clarity for Jeremiah and I. We are really struggling with what is best for our daughter right now. Thank you all for your prayers and comments - they are such a comfort to us here in the hospital!
This would completely take chemotherapy out of the pictures right now. Surgically, it's a very big operation. It would involve a general peds surgeon and a peds neurosurgeon, an incision not only in her abdomen but also in her back, and probably a total of about 10 hours.
Our decision now is whether we stay here at DeVos in Grand Rapids or head out to New York to have the surgery done at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. We love the staff here (including the general peds surgeon who would be working on her) but are definitely wondering if it is better to go somewhere where they just do more of these types of surgeries per year. Numbers-wise, the surgeons at Sloan have more experience.
We need to make this decision soon. Please pray for clarity for Jeremiah and I. We are really struggling with what is best for our daughter right now. Thank you all for your prayers and comments - they are such a comfort to us here in the hospital!