[Forest]

One of my closest friends went into hospital on Sunday. She has cancer in her spine and in her brain, and although it hasn't affected her intelligence, etc, it has enforced a double curvature of her spine. She has had to live with it now for over six years going on Chemotherapy and other treatments, but unfortunately, she was never well enough to have any surgery done to correct her spine. Now though, the doctors believe she is up to the operation needed and so on Monday, she had the first operation.

The operations themselves are in two parts. The first (done successfully on Monday) involved attaching a halo into her skull and around her head for traction and removing a couple of disks.
She came through the operation alright and now she is being kept in a continuous position, having her spine stretched by millimetres each day.

(Traction will take several weeks so that the diseased spine isn't stretched out suddenly and damaged.)

The second stage of the operation will involve be where rods are put into the spine to keep it straight.

Today, the doctors took out the chest drain. They will shortly be doing an x-ray to check on this procedure and the next aim is to progress to a sitting up position. They are increasing the weights daily until a maximum weight is achieved my next Saturday 23rd October. These weights will remain throughout Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

It is expected that the next operation will be on the following day, Tuesday 26th October, if there are no other emergencies from other people requiring the theatres.

Thoughts and prayers for my friend, her family, the hospital team and her grandparents would be greatly appreciated and I will keep you posted as more news comes in.

Many, many thanks

~Forest

[Yavanie]

I'd be honored. does she have a nickname or first name that I might use? It sounds as if many prayers have been answered if she has progressed through chemotherapy to the point of corrective surgery. Her friends and family will be in my prayers as well. Please keep us posted.

[Forest]

Yep. Her name is Rachel. Thanks for agreeing, Yavanie. Any help is greatly appreciated, as I said. *hugs*

~Forest

[DarkElfChilde]

I hope the best for her and her family.


Your friendly elf,

Dark Elf Childe

[Anna]

She will be in my prayers, as well.

My father-in-law has struggled with cancer for about five years now. Sometimes life is so cruel.

[Aerin]

I may be late, but, my prayers will include her!

Yavainie, nice avvie!

[Viv]

Some praying certainly couldn't hurt. Shall send some up.

[Hathor]

I'll be thinking of your friend and all you are involved.

[Rous]

Same here. Lost my step-dad to luekemia. I pray she fares better. And also prayer for her family to cope with whatever does happen.

[LuthienTinuviel]

I lost a close friend of mine from leukimia.

She will be in my prayers

[Andreth]

There are those of us who've had better outcomes. I'll be sending many positive thoughts that Rachel joins the ranks of those who've beaten this disease. She sounds like a fighter and my docs always said that was one of the most important factors.

[Forest]

Rachel is recovering quite well in hospital at the moment. She is having weights attached each day to the halo they drilled into her skull, and she is taking the pain remarkably in her stride. The weight the weights were at on Sunday was about 3 stone, so by now, they will be almost 4 stone. Her brothers have been into visit, as did I on Sunday afternoon after church and her parents are operating their own bedside vigils on a daily rota system.

She has recieved dozens of cards and her eldest brother even bought her a huge fluffy Tigger (as in Winnie the Pooh) that she has on her room windowsill now.

When I saw her on Sunday, I told her that people in America, Germany and Canada were praying for her and thinking of her, and she was thrilled. To quote her words - "Wow! I'm an international celebrity!" Personally, I think her ability to remain full of life and humour during this time is incredible.

I am going to see her again tomorrow after college, and giving her that picture I did of Torvill and Dean (stained glass) as a present and because she adores them so much.

Btw, if anyone wants me to pass on any messages, I will do so.


~Forest

[Rous]

I am happy that she is doing so well. I will continue to keep her in my prayers.

[Viv]

If she were to have a hotmail or yahoo address, we could send her fan mail.

Prayers still beaming in from Texas.

[SamwiseTheStrong]

Hello,
I wish her luck. I know how hard it is to watch someone struggle with cancer. My dad died of it when I was a kid, so I know how hard it is. I hope all of the operation goes well. I am sure that she will be in all of our prayers. :cry: :) :!: :idea: