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Paul had an ultrasound today (a follow up to the Feb. 13 ultrasound which showed no tumor). We knew going in today that it had grown back because you can see and feel a lump---a little smaller than a marble---under the scar where he had surgery on Feb. 5. The ultrasound measured it and it's half the size of what they took out.

So, we're just supposed to watch it and go back for another ultrasound next month. Hopefully it will run its course and start to go away. Dr. Pressey said that he did some research and in looking back 20 years at Children's Hospital, they have seen 15 cases of "nodular fasciitis" and NONE of them required a second surgery. We're hoping to fit that pattern, but are worried about how fast this thing is growing. In the meantime, there isn't much information out there about "nodular fasciitis" so they will probably write an article about Paul......wow! Famous by the age of 6 months! :)

Paul still feels well and is doing fine otherwise. We'll go back in 4 weeks and get more news....and until then, we will try to learn the art of patience.

St. Jude's patient of the month for March

McKaylee Borklund 1 year old

Diagnosis:
McKaylee was found to suffer from anaplastic astrocytoma in June 2008.
McKaylee's Story:
McKaylee was a fussy baby. At first, her doctor thought she had acid reflux. But nothing seemed to bring the baby relief. Then, when McKaylee was just 7 months old, a CT scan showed she had fluid on the brain. Her parents were relieved because this condition could explain McKaylee’s fussiness. Doctors scheduled a surgery to insert a shunt that would drain the fluid and relieve the pressure McKaylee felt.
But just before McKaylee went into surgery, an MRI revealed a brain tumor. The doctors believed the tumor was benign, and told McKaylee's family they would monitor it. But, during a follow up visit several months later, McKaylee's family learned devastating news—the tumor had grown significantly and it was not benign. A biopsy revealed the tumor was actually a rare and aggressive malignant tumor called anaplastic astrocytoma.
Just days after McKaylee's first birthday, her family was at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. But in the midst of such overwhelming news, her mother felt a sense of calm upon arriving at St. Jude. "Seeing the hospital for the first time was just awesome," she said. "I had chills. I knew it was a life-changing moment."
At St. Jude:
McKaylee started chemotherapy treatment immediately. Her protocol will last for approximately 15 months. "McKaylee is not scared or apprehensive about anything at the hospital," her mom said. "She knows her routine now. It's amazing to me how resilient kids are."
McKaylee's family is so grateful for the people who help support St. Jude. Not having to worry about the costs associated with McKaylee’s care has allowed her family to focus on their precious McKaylee. "Watching McKaylee go through chemotherapy has been hard," said her mom. "But meeting patients here, that's changed the face of this tragedy because there's so much support. That's definitely been a positive thing." McKaylee loves to lavish her baby dolls with kisses and hugs, and she adores her older brother. McKaylee has a play kitchen at home and delights in making 'food' for her family.