Becca's Home!!!!

Yesterday was a GREAT day. Two reasons:

First, we picked Becca up from camp. We missed her so much. She had such a great experience at camp and plans to return next summer. We are so grateful for that.

Second, Sammy was discharged from the hospital Wed. night so she was able to come with us to pick Becca up yesterday. A great day for Sammy, who was able to see her camp friends, but not a great week overall.

Sammy started having some pretty bad headaches last week. At first we thought it was fatigue, because she had three consecutive sleepovers with her BFF and was really tired. But it didn't get better with time so we took her to Dana Farber on Monday. Tests were run and a tumor was found to be growing on her skull. Because the tumor puts pressure on the brain, Sammy has been feeling pretty lousy.

So Sammy spent a couple of nights at Children's Hospital while the doctors ran more tests and tried to figure out how to help her. Surgery was discussed, and could still be a possibility (to relieve the pressure the brain experiences from the tumor). For now, however, the medicine the doctors started giving Sammy has taken the headaches away. So the four Rotmans are all back home together. There is no better feeling in this world. Becca stayed with Sammy most of the day. The presence of big sister was better than any medicine thus far.

So, Sammy doesn't feel completely like her old self. she's a little more tired and a little more hungry (thank you, steroids!!!).

There is no way David and I could have made it through last week without the support of our family, neighbors, employers, friends, and the Dana Farber Team. We will never be able to express how much we appreciate the ongoing love, support, and compassion.

Everyone keeps asking what they can do. Truly, your love and support is all we need. As things are getting more difficult around here, we are starting up the meal calendar again. If this is something you would like to do, we will graciously accept.

Bad news travels fast. I did not update the blog immediately because David and I felt strongly about speaking with Becca in person before she heard it from someone else. I suspect, however, that half of Bow, NH, already has heard the latest update. Now that everyone is home, I will do my best to update the blog regulary.

Thank you so much for the ongoing support and pratyers.

Shari and David