November 7, 2010

Dearest Friends and Family,
Two weeks ago, our youngest daughter, Sephine, was admitted to the hospital in Boston because of a tumor found in her sinus cavity the day previous. After initial surgery 90% of the mass was taken out so that Sephine was able to sleep through the night without having difficulties breathing. Last week we learned that this tumor was in fact, cancer. The last two weeks we have been up at Children's Hospital in Boston and Dana Farber Cancer Institute undergoing many tests and surgeries. She has Rhabdomyosarcoma (embryonal). So far the tumor has only been found in her left sinus cavity and her one in her left neck. We still await results from the Bone Marrow, Pet Scan and Bone Scan. The spinal fluid has come back negative. Last Monday she had a feeding tube and portocath (central line) put in to better help her in the year ahead.

Sephine starts chemo tomorrow, Monday November 8th, and it is then we will get our schedule of chemo and radiation treatments for the next year.

All of this, of course, is so surreal for us, as we feel we have lived a lifetime in these last few weeks. Already we have felt extraordinarily loved and supported by friends and family. We continue to ask for prayers for our (just turned) 4 year old girl as well as our family. Sephine's two older sisters, Jilly (5) and Kora (7) have been very sweet and sincere to their sister.


It has been amazing to have my parents (Oma and Opa) here with us during this time. They just happened to be visiting us when all this started. Oma has stayed with us the whole time and Opa just arrived back here last night with the plan to stay through Thanksgiving.  We are also very blessed to have Doug's parents (Mimi and Grampy) right down the street. They are so amazing as well and we feel very fortunate. We are surrounded, and we feel all their never-ending love and support!!!


I will do my best to keep this website full of information, photo's and prayer requests. In the meantime, thank you for your LOVE and PRAYERS!