A dear friend of mine through an internet message board has just recently found out that her 4 year old daughter Jillian has a large tumor in her chest.  They took little Jillian to the hospital a couple days ago thinking she had pnuemonia. After a few tests had been run, they concluded that there was a large tumor in her chest, pushing on her lung and heart. 

 

As of right now, a biopsy has been taken and they are waiting on the results.  Jillian is on oxygen, as her breathing capacity has been reduced by the tumor.  They are just waiting to see the size & complexity of this tumor for the next move.  A snippet  from a friend on the message board:

 

""surgeon says is one of 3 things, rhabdomyosarcoma, pleuropulmonary blastoma or germ cell tumor. surgeon said last night that she doubts if it would be benign, but we are praying for that""

 

Katie is a dear person and a wonderful mother of 11 children.  You can read a little about her at her website here:  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/teambettendorf.

 

Please please, PRAY! 

 

UPDATE 02/09/07 ~ 8:30 pm PST.

 

It IS cancer.  The tumor is huge - football size, according to updates on the message board.  Jillian is having a very difficult time breathing, her unaffected lung is filling with liquid.  The Dr's are waiting to see if anything has spread and will start Chemo on Monday. 

 

Pray for this little sweetie, Pray for this family! PLEASE! 

 

UPDATE 02/10/07 ~ Friday PM / Saturday Early AM

 

The medical team working with Jillian has realized that something needs to be done now. No waiting until Monday.  Katie is thinking they may go in and drain some fluid from the tumor, hopefully it is fluid enough to make a difference.   She is on Morphine now, sitting up a bit, drinking and eliminating.

 

I'll keep you posted...

 

UPDATE 02/11/07 ~ Sunday

 

They administered the first round of Chemo yesterday.  She is hanging on and her momma is one tough lady, who will NOT allow bad care for her children.  You have to know Katie to know this is how she is....she will FIGHT!

 

Keep praying please!

UPDATE 02/12/07 ~ Monday AM.

 

TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!

 

Jillian has been on a ventilator to help her breathe.  Her lung capacity is growing and she is breathing some on her own, so the plan for today is to try and get her off the vent.  Jeff & Katie have been taking turns watching her 24/7..she needs to be constantly attended to because of all the tubes...she can't move much as it would disturb them.  Her heart appears to be moving back into the correct postition, it had been moved into the center of her chest.  So, if they can get her off this vent the plan is to get her home soon! 

 

We serve such a loving, awesome God!

 

If you also visit the Homeschoolblogger, you may know Katie, as she has a blog there:  Team Bettendorf.  Katie is a great Christian mama to 11 wonderful children.  Jillian, has lots of family support.  Let's cover this family in a thick blanket of prayer!

 

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