Welcome....

This Blog is created with specific inspiration by my 4 year old neice, Stella. Stella is two days away from embarking on a journey that stands to be the most courageous effort I've seen a child experience. On January 15th, 2010 at 9:30am Stella will be undergoing surgery to remove her entire Left Cerebral Cortex in hopes that she will be cured of her siezures.

Should you want information and updates on her journey...follow this blog....

As Stella's Aunt I've been very blessed to be allowed to follow her journey thus far. In September 2009 she began by traveling to Detroit Children's Hospital of Michigan (CHM) to start this evaluation with Dr. Chugani, Chief Neurologist for the hospital. Then in October returned for a MRI and further testing. Next, Stella and her parents (my brother Jason and sister in law Erin) endured 72 hours of EEG testing in the hospital. I was present to visit Stella and her parents. Stella and I bonded over repeated games of Candy Land during this time.

In November all testing was reviewed and interpreted and another trip to the Detroit area to meet with Dr. Chugani again...here we learned Stella was a candidate for the Hemispherectomy proceedure and her parents continued the rigurous "all night" googling/research on the surgery...many of their unlimited questions were addressed and the decision was made to schedule the surgery and meet with the surgeon, Dr. Sood. Again, another trip to Detroit three days after Christmas day....

Amazingly, Erin has been a beacon of strength and with her photographic memory, educated the family and myself on every aspect of this proceedure and potential complications. She and Jason (who works two jobs currently) have worked very hard to continue life as usual for their other 4 children, juggling work, school, homework, sports, play and holiday gatherings....but, ultimately, their strength will be challanged the most the morning of January 15th as they watch their daughter wheeled away into the 7 hour surgery. I can only stand and watch with a heavy heart and my prayers as they cope with the beginning of this incredible interruption of their lives...

Stella is expected to be in the Pediatric ICU at CHM one or two days and then likely transfered to a Neuro unit in the hospital for 1-2 weeks.

thank you for your interest, prayers and of course your support.

M