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Welcome to Lizzie's Page


Lizzie is a 10 year Germinoma Brain tumor survivor. She underwent surgery for biopsy at
Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore MD, with Dr
Jon Weingart, in Feb of 2001. Lizzie had 5 rounds of chemo in Norfolk at Childrens Hospital
of the Kings Daughters throughout several months of 2001, struggling through many bouts
of infection, blood transfusions, and an agressive fungus..she had clean scans for several months,
however unfortunately relapsed in April of 2002...after consultation in New York, we ended
up at St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, in Memphis, Tennessee, with Dr Thomas Merchant
and completed Cranio-spinal radiation in the summer months of 2002. Lizzie now has clean scans, and Dr Merchant has not had a germinoma "fail", so, we do not plan to be the first. January 21 marks her 10th complete year from diagnosis...Feb 2 our meeting with Dr Weingart at Hopkins, and the 23 Feb her surgery. August marks her 9th year from radiation end at St Jude and true clean scans and the word I still cannot say but can write-cure-.....This journal is about our family, our strength, and is a testament to our several years of a new life...one of knowing what matters and is meaningful. Our lives are oddly blessed...Our children...Rebecca and her husband Mike, Julia-her husband Justin, Vic (and Lisa his special girl) and Lizzie are all touched by this journey, and the strength shown here is everyones.

Journal

Thursday, December 30, 2010 9:16 PM CST

well, it is nearly 2011, and that makes 10 years for Lizzie. We have decided it is time to close the site, and say "lets Move ON!!!". We are doing as art project with her radiation mask, and putting all the things she wants to keep but set aside and on the wall on it...painting it, and hanging on it. She is, and we are, moving on to a new decade and new decisions and while cancer, and the brain tumor and all the residue are certainly in her/our lives, it is time to begin planning for the next decade of living..and leaving these things aside and in the past...
we are changed, probably forever different and what we have learned is important--but we are tired, and honestly it is time to begin the journey to college/career/life independent and the hope and joy that comes with all that. for a cancer kid, brain tumors in particular it is not easy. each success comes with terrifically hard work, and the losses are often great, but it is who we are, and it is time to get moving on becoming what God wants Liz to be. She is a good person, and the most positive young lady I have ever been around. Her joy in meeting other people is immense. She loves life, and given the chance, will shine in some place we have Faith God will place her. We are working with Voc rehab, and she is going to look for some wonderful city, with good transportation to live in, where she can work and enjoy life. Hopefully she can complete a degree or certificate in something valuable, support herself, and find who she is going to be. That is now our focus. These pages have been invaluable over these years, and we love all who have read here. it is with some sadness we move on, but mostly to hope in what is to come and Thanks to God for pulling her and carrying her through the times that were so bad, and allowing her to never loose her amazing love and positive attitude...it has not been easy, there has been loneliness, and our family is so strong the bond will not be broken..Lizzie is a survivor, and these next 10 years will be something to see!
Much love to all,
ma

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Hospital Information:

Patient Room: none


St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, TENN.
Virginia
please leave journal message..I will answer

Links:

St Jude Childrens Research Hospital  
  
http://www.pediatricbraintumors@yahoogroups.com   an online support group for families with ped. brain tumors..offers info,support and lots of opinions! Way too large a group..


 
 

E-mail Author: jay.dorschel@verizon.net

 
 

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