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While Rachel and Matt met with the oncologist yesterday Jen and I had a lovely time with Phoebe. She had more smiles than the past few days. We also read stories with her. It was a precious time. Once again we were blessed through helping Rach and Matt.
Below is the text of an email sent last night to all the members of Rachel and Matt's (and our) church.
"Thank you all for your love, support, prayers and messages over the last week. Today we have received the results of the analysis of the tumour that was removed last week from Phoebe during her brain surgery. Sadly, it has revealed that she has a type of cancer called Medullablastoma. This is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the brain and spinal chord. The doctors are confident that they have removed the entire tumour but it is likely that some cancer cells still remain in her body.
As a result, Phoebe is going to have a lumber puncture next Thursday to remove spinal fluid. This will allow the doctors to determine the spread of the Medullablastoma and its particular type strain.
In order to treat the Medullablastoma Phoebe will undergo aggressive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The radiotherapy is planned to start on 5th March and will take place five days a week for five weeks. The chemotherapy may start after this and last nine months or, if it is a particularly aggressive form of Medullablastoma, it will start at the same time as the radiotherapy and last twelve months. Either way, her treatment will last about a year and is curative treatment rather than palliative. This treatment is going to be extremely difficult on Phoebe and the doctor has reassured us that she would not be put through this if they didn’t believe she could be cured.
The pressure on Phoebe’s brain following the operation is improving and her wound has not leaked today. The external ventricular drain has been switched off. If there continue to be no leaks and no headaches then they may not need to fit a shunt to drain the fluid internally. But this is still a possibility.
We are continuing to trust Father God. We know he is good and that he is working good through this situation but often it is difficult for us to ‘feel’ that what is happening is for Phoebe’s good. As ever, we covet your prayers. This last week has been a rollercoaster with every high and low of emotion.
Please continue to pray for us throughout this journey.
Matt and Rachel "
