Charlotte had been complaining of headaches for about 2 weeks. We decided to take her to the pediatrician and they immediately sent us to St. Mary's hospital for a CT Scan. The scan revealed a large (orange-to-grapefruit-sized) mass and Charlotte was admitted on 1/20/09 to MCV hospital in Richmond. She was diagnosed with a PNET tumor (Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor) with its origin in the thalamus. PNETs are similar in structure (on the cellular level) to medullablastoma. Medullablastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. On the other hand, PNETs are more rare and can sometimes behave differently. From what we understand from her doctors, her pathology revealed a very aggressive tumor that tends to regrow quickly without treatment.
She had 2 craniotomies in 2 weeks. Surgery was able to remove about 90% of the tumor and after a 3 week hospital stay, we came home for outpatient therapy. She emerged from the surgeries with some left side weakness but quickly regained the ability to walk and use her left hand with support.
Her third surgery occurred on May 27th and was very successful. Dr. Tye removed nearly all of the remaining tumor with just a few very small bits left over in places he wasn't comfortable going, including some on her brainstem.
Her new chemo protocol developed by the folks at MD Anderson began soon after her 3rd surgery. On July 11, 2009, two days after her fourth birthday, we packed up and headed back to Houston, TX for 30 days (7 weeks) of proton radiation therapy. She also received some chemotherapy during this time. Charlotte tolerated the radiation/chemo combo well and we returned from Texas on September 1, 2009.
Charlotte's latest MRI (November 6, 2009) revealed that the tumor continues to grow despite radiation, chemo, and all other treatments. The tumor growth is once again placing pressure on the spinal fluid in her ventricles, causing enlargement of her brain cavity.
On November 8, 2009, Dr. Tye placed a shunt in her head. The shunt drains to her stomach and allows pressure to be relieved.
We are pretty much out of treatment options at this point and our time left with Charlotte is probably limited. We are going to enjoy whatever time we have left, including a trip to Disney World sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
We are extremely grateful for the tangible, monetary, and spiritual support that Charlotte's community continues to provide in our time of crisis. In the near future, we will formally establish the CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation (CJSTUF) in her name as a mechanism to "pay it forward".