Prayers Please

Things are fine with us, especially when you see the pain that others go through.  The past few days we found out that our cousin's 15 yr old daughter Anna passed out and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Anna's mom wasn't able to revive her. Tests showed that Anna had 2 large tumors in her brain. Surgery needed to be immediate.

This is Anna. She's trying on a dress for her first prom a few months ago. Isn't she beautiful?

Because they live in a remote part of Montana, Anna had to be flown to Seattle for the care she needs.  Additional tests found a third tumor in the center of her brain, in a very difficult spot.  Today additional tests found a fourth tumor on her spine.  Anna has already lost her eye sight in one eye and hearing on the same side because of the tumors. That won't come back even when the tumors are gone.

Testing found that Anna has a condition called Neurofibromatosis Type II (NF2).  This basically means that even if  the surgery to remove the tumors is 100% successful, more tumors will grow back in Anna's body. "While the tumors associated with NF2 are benign, it’s their location—on or near the brain, the spinal cord, or the nerves, that makes them surgically challenging. A neurosurgeon may conclude that removing a tumor poses more risks to the patient than benefits."  The condition of her future quality of life is unclear, and to say that Anna and her family are scared would be a big understatement. 

Anna's first surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday. I would ask that you please send her healing prayers / light / good wishes if you have a moment.  And if I can ask also that you say a prayer for peace to her family and that the angels be extra close to the doctors and nurses and staff who will care for Anna in the next 10+ weeks.