Update on Sirri from Lisa

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments, words of comfort, and prayers. We can truly feel your love and your faith is being felt through a calm peaceful feeling that has continued to be with our family.

We visited with the Oncologist in Rexburg Monday morning. He reviewed her CT scan with us and basically told us, "we need you at Primary Children's Hospital to remove the tumor. Oh, and we need you to leave TODAY." So, I zipped home, packed my bags (and I use the term, pack, lightly. It was more like threw together my bags) and headed out the door for Utah. Kendon had to stay in town for a few more hours to tie up some loose ends with work and then he came Monday night. He borrowed his brother's motorcycle to come and that was a bright moment for him! As soon as my mom heard the news she left work, bought a plane ticket (packed for four trips that she will head out for from here) and met us in Utah. Sirri has LOVED having her grandma here and Kendon and I have been thankful to have here as well! Thx mom!

Sirri was admitted into Primary Children's Hospital Monday night. She has seen many, many, many doctors and nurses and techs and social workers and children's specialists, and they have all treated Sirri nothing less than a princess. For a mom, that makes all the difference in the world. For the first while she would not give anyone the time of day. She would sit there and stare at them with her silly nervous tongue sticking out of her mouth and her evil eye penetrating anyone who dared approach. Now, Sirri is starting to warm up to all the staff and she is turning out to be quite the star around here. Everyone who comes in says, "I've heard about how cute this little girl is...."

Her medical prognosis is looking very promising so far. We have been asked a million questions, a million times and everyone is amazed around here that we continue to answer, "nope, no bruising, no night sweats, no change in activity or appetite, no breathing problems, no headaches, etc. etc. etc." These personnel are so used to seeing and treating kids that are sick, that Sirri has them baffled. I also think she is a bright ray of sunshine and change of pace from sick kiddos for them. So, because she really has no symptoms of being unhealthy in any way, they all feel that once we remove the tumor she will be in the clear.

Her surgery is today (Wednesday) at 12:30. Though it is almost 1:00 now and we have had no word yet. We're just waiting and Sirri is playing. She thinks she is on some vacation where her every beck and call is fulfilled! Lucky little girl. Unfortunately the fun will end soon.

The surgeon is optimistic that they will be able to remove the whole tumor during surgery. She is also optimistic that they will be able to do it using a scope and not have to make a large incision. This would be great. It would be less invasive and her recovery would be much quicker, meaning we go home sooner!!! Hurray! (I miss Connor and Meg so much!) There is the chance that they will not be able to remove the whole tumor and they will have to do chemotherapy to shrink it. They really don't feel that this will be the case though. During the surgery they will also do a bone marrow biopsy, just in case.

After the tumor is out they will do a biopsy to ensure that their suspicions are correct and that the tumor is benign.While we are here, the doctors have checked out her crazy fingers and have come to the conclusion that they are just that...crazy! They are for sure a blessing though, since they have been the catalyst in finding this tumor! Between her crazy fingers and a very intuitive, Dr. Gary Sena, we have been blessed!

They are also working on her diarrhea issues. They have run some tests that we are waiting for the results. I'm really hoping she doesn't have a tolerance to gluten. Could I figure a diet like that out?!?!?!?!

They have also ran a Cystic Fibrosis test and we are awaiting those results as well.I want you all to know that we are still feeling a great amount of peace and comfort. I am so thankful for that. PCHMC is a very hard and sad place to be. There are so many very sick children here and we feel so thankful for our healthy little Miss Sirri who is buzzing up and down the halls on a trike making everyone laugh and smile! We are very blessed.

I am also so very thankful for all our family and friends at home that have taken care of Connor and Meg and loved on them so they don't feel afraid or sad while we are away. They have been spending the days with their second Mommy, Jaci and I'm so thankful for that. It gives me one less thing to worry about. At night Stacey (our SIL) has been coming to stay at our house so the kids can sleep in their own beds. I know being able to be home at night has been helpful for them.

Connor is confused about what is happening but is adjusting well. He asks lots of questions. Some that can be answered and some that just confuse him more. Bless his heart. He did talk to me this morning which made me so happy. The first night we were here he tried to talk to me and just cried and cried. That has been one of the hardest moments for me.

I will try and post another update as soon after her surgery as possible. I hope that this is all clear and that I have included the whole story (I probably included too much, but want to remember all of this one day). I've also been working on this here and there, through sleepy eyes, and I can't remember who knows what. If I've left anything out, or you have any questions, please ask in your comments and I'll answer!

Thank you again for all your love and prayers. We can feel it!

P.S. No pics yet. We forgot our cable to hook up our camera. Bummer.

Update from Stacey: Sirri did very well during surgery. They were able to remove the tumor which they discovered was fully encased. This is wonderful news as it means that it did not spead. They did remove the entire thing via scope so it was a much less evasive surgery. The tumor did contain cancer cells. The results of the bone marrow test should come back in two or three days. The tumor was attached to her esophagus and her aorta.

Sirri has a chest tube in and it may have to remain in for a few days up to a couple of weeks.

Connor and Meg have been so wonderful. They both slept through the night the past two nights. Jaci has really kept them busy and worn them out so they are good and tired when they come home to be put to bed. Meg even woke up dry yesterday morning. Good job little sister.

Meg loves talking on the phone to her mom and dad each evening and morning. Connor is still getting use to the idea but is coming around. He did so much better the last few nights. He is such a wonderful helper and takes such good care of Meg. Jaci reports that he is always watching out for her and even made the comment the other day when they went to the sandbar that Sirri would really want to come do it to. What a wonderful kiddo. Kendon and Lisa are obviously doing something right to have such a caring little man.

Kendon is hoping to head home in the next day or so. He will likely be able to give you all a better update that I can.

Thank you to all of our family and friends who have been so caring and helped with phone calls, emails, visits and meals. You are amazing.