Update

Hello. After returning home from Camp Sunshine, we spent a full day up at Dartmouth and another one down in Boston. Overall, all of Sammy's tests/scans are the same. The lung nodules are still there and all except for one have stopped growing (and it's possible that the one that appears larger only looks that way because of the angle at which the scan was taken).

The bottom line is that it's time to get rid of the cancer once and for all. Dr. Chaffee, Sammy's oncologist, wants to start chemo again ASAP. What that means is that it's important for Sammy to have a quick and easy recovery from surgery. Accordingly, we have opted for a standard above knee leg amputation. No more tibia turn up. Recovery takes too long and chance of infection is too great. For the minimal amount of bone the tibia would provide, it's just not worth the risk.

Keeping in mind that one never knows from day to day how the "plan" will change, today's plan is for leg surgery on 2/28. One or two rounds of chemo will follow surgery as soon as Sammy is strong enough (3 weeks pass inbetween rounds), and then it looks like those lungs will have to be operated on. We haven't even gotten into any detailed discussion yet with regard to what type of surgery will occur... we need to get through this leg thing first.

Overall, we're doing ok. We are eager for Samantha to move on with her life. Once Sammy is healed and fitted for her first prosthetic, we are going to have a party to welcome the new leg to the family.

On a lighter note, we all had such a wonderful time at Camp Sunshine. We are definitely going back this summer, if not sooner.

When Sammy attended the CHaD (Children's Hospital at Dartmouth) Holiday Party last year, she met lots of people, including Senator Clegg from Hudson. With surgery coming up, Senator Clegg was kind enough to remember how much Sammy wanted a laptop of her own. Though he didn't want to make a big deal about BUYING HER ONE, we can't help but thank him on this website. Because of Senator Clegg's generosity and desire to just make a kid happy, Sammy will be able to stay in touch with her friends while at Mass. General as well as on-line shop all night. Sammy was also asked to be the ambassador for CHaD at the upcoming annual St. Patrick's Day Roast. Hopefully Sammy will feel well enough to attend so that she can mingle with the governor, senators, and other politicians. At the breakfast, a piece of her artwork will be auctioned off to raise money for CHaD.

So that's the update. All things considered, we are doing okay. Thank you all for continuing to check in on us. We couldn't do it without your support.

Shari and David