Christian Photographers Community

We have a cousin in London, Ontario who found out just recently (about 4 weeks ago) that her young daughter had a tumour in her brain.  She had the surgery yesterday and the news is not good.  Rachel is only 17 years old.

We would covet your prayers for Rachel and for Cathie and the whole family circle.

Here's the letter I just received tonight.  Cathie will not mind knowing that I'm posting this on here so that you may all pray.  And I thank you so very much.


Dear assorted Family:
I am sending this to all the family for the moment as I know you are all waiting for an update.  There is no easy way to say this, so I will just start right in.  We received the pathology report today and it wasn't good news. The tumour that has taken up residence in our Rachael is a grade IV Glioblastoma.  It is inoperable, and highly aggressive. We will be meeting with the oncologist in the next two days and likely Rachael will begin a treatment plan of radiation and chemotherapy. This will help slow down the growth, but it will not stop it. How much "time" she has is purely a numbers game. Statistically, they say a year to a year and a half - of course a number of factors can affect that. As you can imagine, I am not certain that Rachael has digested all this information yet - she knows it is an aggressive tumour and she knows they cannot do further surgery, and she knows she will be starting chemo/radiation shortly. The pain medications make her very sleepy anyway, so its hard to tell how much she is actually sleeping and how much she is just not wanting to talk about it just yet, and trying to process all that she has been told.


Now that our worst fears have been brought out, our immediate action plan is to get her home as soon as possible. She has been in the hospital almost a month now.  People have been asking what they can do for her. This is what we have in mind: We want to organize a work party fairly soon to create a special bedroom for her. We are going to switch bedrooms with Bens and give her the larger one. It needs a good sanding, priming and painting - the walls are in pretty rough shape- and we will replace the carpet. We want to make her environment the best it can be, and as comfortable as possible. I am going to look for a new bed for her and we are also going to look for a new laptop so she can stay connected with her friends and family via instant messaging and email. As she was planning on taking media arts in university, we thought if we could get her a laptop with the capabilities she needs to work with photography, which is one of her passions - that is something she could do without expending alot of physical energy. Those are our immediate thoughts and if anyone can help with this in any sort of way, we would be grateful. (Don't feel you have to - I am just throwing this "out there" so you are aware of what we are needing) We are looking into what resources are available and the social worker at the hospital will be guiding us also.  I will be off work, so things are going to be very tight, but you can't put a price on time spent with, and for, Rachael right now.

I am sure there is much more that we will need help with - I am trying to absorb all of this myself and am just going through the motions in auto pilot at the moment.  Please don't hesitate to call  xxxxx or write- we do need to hear from you, now more than ever- and we understand that you will likely have no words. We just need to know we are not alone. I have not passed this on to friends yet, just family that I have email addresses for other than the clergy at Church, as I want to wait until Rachael really understands what is happening before friends start contacting her. I will wait a few days before doing so. Please keep us all in your prayers.
With love to all,
C.


"Glioblastoma accounts for 30 percent of all brain tumors, and is the most common primary brain tumor of adults. Glioblastomas occur most often in older adults, both men and women. Less than 10 percent of childhood brain tumors are glioblastomas.

What is a glioblastoma?
A glioblastoma is a malignant tumor that originates from the supportive tissue of the brain, and grows from star-shaped, astrocyte cells. Glioblastoma tumors have tentacle-like cells that grow into the surrounding tissue. While there are low-grade astrocytomas, the grade IV glioblastomas are more common, completely malignant, and can grow very rapidly in the brain, growing over three to six months.

What are the symptoms of glioblastoma?
Headaches, memory loss, seizures and behavioral changes are the most common symptoms, primarily due to increased pressure of the brain caused by rapid growth of the tumor. As the tumor grows, loss of certain bodily functions may also occur, depending on the location of the tumor."



http://www.health-alliance.com/LearnAbout/learn_Glioblastoma.htm

Pat ...    I really do have no words.  I will, most certainly, pray.  At the moment I can't even imagine what this family is going through and facing in the future.  I know your heart is heavy as well.  I pray our Father will be very close to each of you and surround you with His peace and comfort ... like encasing you in a cocoon. 

Thank you for sharing this email with us.

I have passed this on to family as well Pat.

I am praying too Pat.

My heart goes out to Rachael and her family.  They will need a lot of support in the days ahead.  I will remember her in my prayers. 

Pat, my father had the same thing IV Glioblastoma.  They operated and got about 85% of it, and he had 6 weeks of radiation.  I understand and am praying for her and her family. 

Samantha

Thank you so much!

We will be passing on your messages to Cathie.

I received an email from Cathy, Rachael was home last night for a one night overnight.  This will be good for her and the family.  

I have requested a quilt from Victoria's Quilts.  VQ is an organization that provides quilts free to the recipient in both Canada and The USA, who have cancer.  I am not sure about other countries

Dear Pat, I am so sorry to read about Rachael She and all the family will be in my thoughts and prayers. If there is anything I can do please don't hesitate to get in touch {{HUGS}} x

And a message especially for Cathy...

Dear Cathy, I have just heard the news about your daughter Rachael and wanted to let you know I am thinking and praying for you all.

My bestfriends 22 year old daughter, Rose, was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma in 2006 so I know a little more about the journey you are on than some. We live in the UK so our treatment options are a lot different to those you have over there but if there is anything I can do for you please email me natalya@btbuddies.org.uk and I'll do anything I can do help you.

Since Rose's diagnosis I did a lot of research into Glioblastoma and recently launched the UK's only website dedicated to providing information and support to high grade brain tumour patients, their families friends and caregivers. I can totally understand if you don't wish to read about the disease but I would encourage you to take a look at our Stories of Hope page -  our longest surviving Glioblastoma patient is now 18 years since their diagnosis! I also have a wonderful friend who is a Christian and has a marvellous spirit despite all she is facing, if you would like her email address I know that she would be more than happy to talk to you and/or Rachael...she has the most amazing outlook on life and never fails to make those who speak to her believe that there is hope.

Cathy, I could go on and on but I don't wish to inundate you with information, I am sure you have enough to contend with without long posts like mine. But, if you want to talk about anything at all please email me anytime and I will do my best to help you.

Thinking and praying for you, Rachael and all the family {{HUGS}} x

Thank you talj, you don't know but Pat and I are sisters, so on behalf of Pat and Cathy I thank you.

The Quilt has been ordered and she is on the list to receive one in the next couple of weeks.

In speaking to Cathie this evening, I covet your prayers on behalf of Cathie as she has many practical prayer requests as well as Rachael's health.

She has to have answers as to what to do about work, how she's going to be able to stay home to care for Rachael and keep a roof over their heads... She needs help caring for her because she needs meds round the clock and she disparately needs sleep... and help with housework, laundry etc.

Quote from: JudyB on March 28, 2009, 11:46:18 PM
Thank you talj, you don't know but Pat and I are sisters, so on behalf of Pat and Cathy I thank you.

The Quilt has been ordered and she is on the list to receive one in the next couple of weeks.

Thank you for letting me Judy, you are all in my prayers {{HUGS}} The quilt is a lovely idea, I hope it arrives with them soon

Quote from: Pat on March 29, 2009, 12:37:01 AM
She has to have answers as to what to do about work, how she's going to be able to stay home to care for Rachael and keep a roof over their heads... She needs help caring for her because she needs meds round the clock and she disparately needs sleep... and help with housework, laundry etc.

I will certainly prayabout these things. I am also looking for some practical help for Cathie regarding this from a friend who runs a large brain tumour charity in the US. Obviously I realise Cathie and Rachael are in Canada but hopefully he will have some ideas. If I hear anything I will email Cathie direct.

Pat there is CCAC that can help.  It was CCAC that helped Grace.

Pat and Judy, I don't know if you know of this site www.caringbridge.org or if someone has already set one up but it is a really great way to keep family and friends informed of what is happening and gives one place for people to leave messages of support.

Thanks Natalya...

I'll speak to Cathie about this.

I just read this.  All I can say is as the mother of two daughters, my heart goes out to you. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Becky

Cathie, Rachael's mother, sent me some photos of Rachael so that we might better have a "face" in our mind as we pray for her during this terrible time.

What a beautiful young lady!

I too, am left speechless. But I'll be sure to keep them in my prayers.

I can't get over how much she looks llike our Melaura!

First of all, Rachael is not good and they are doing another MRI and CT scan to find out if she's had more seizures in this part of her brain but a wee bit of good news is that the Art/Photography teachers at her school got together and bought Rachael a Nikon camera.  I'm not sure what model yet or anything about it.  Natalya was in touch with Rachael's principal and this is how this came about.

So, this is for Rachael when she may feel a bit better than she's feeling right now.

They aren't sure whether her status right now is because of her medications or whether it's a downward slide (PLEASE PRAY!!!!) but further tests will be done in the next few days.

Chemo and/or radiation is going to be starting soon.  I'm just not sure when.

Pat,
I'm so sorry to hear about Rachel.  I can't imagine what she and her family must be going through.
Heavenly Father,
Please take Rachel and her family into your loving arms and be with them during this very difficult time.  Father, put your healing touch upon this beautiful young lady.  We declare healing in the name of Jesus.  By the stripes of Jesus, we are healed.  We declare that this tumor will be totally gone, and the doctors will be astonished and give glory to God.  Please take away her pain, Lord.  Father, we ask that you make a way for Cathie to stay home with her daughter; make a way for her to be able to stay home and keep their home.  You are bigger than all of this, Lord.  Where there is no way, you make a way.  We praise you Lord, and thank you.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

I will continue to pray for Rachael, Cathie and all the family. I hope that they find out what is causing the problems and get it under control.

Quote from: Pat on April 04, 2009, 11:20:29 AM

First of all, Rachael is not good and they are doing another MRI and CT scan to find out if she's had more seizures in this part of her brain but a wee bit of good news is that the Art/Photography teachers at her school got together and bought Rachael a Nikon camera.  I'm not sure what model yet or anything about it.  Natalya was in touch with Rachael's principal and this is how this came about.

The details from Rachael's teachers on the camera are:

Nikon D60
SD card
18-55mm stabilizing lens
Bag
Battery
Charger

And we have also purchased the Nikon 50mm F1.8 as Rachael's preference is for portrait photography and she is familiar with this lens

As a way of trying to help Rachael's friends at school I also discussed the coffee table book project I am working on. The idea is that photographers from around the world take a photograph of something they feel shows HOPE. They can also choose a quote to go along with the photo and an explanation from the photographer about the image. The book is being put together to raise funds for research into brain tumours so it was an interesting coincidence that Rachael would be a keen photographer too.

Rachael's teacher said he has spoken with the schools yearbook crew about the "Hope" book project.  Most of them plan to look through their personal work and see what they have.  Katie, who is a close friend of Rachael's is quite keen and has done great work for a few years...

I'd like to think that this will in some way help Rachael's friends feel they are doing something positive.

Pat and Judy, thank you for keeping us all posted on what is happening.

Rachael and all the family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

x

Words fail me!  I'm in awe of the kindness of both Rachael's teachers and to you, too, Natalya!  Please thank your friends for me. 

This is amazing and hopefully, this will give Rachael some good times ahead with her photography.

Pat, as I've told you elsewhere, Rachael, Cathie and you, are in my prayers.  I'm asking our wonderful Father to give His peace and comfort to all as He works His will in this situation.

I have just got the full impact of the camera that was bought.  WOW what a gift that is.

We are still praying here.

Pat - did you get the PM I sent to you about this?

Hello Everyone...

I'm in Rachael's room and she's had a very bad day.  I am requesting special prayer for her right now as they are just wheeling her out to take her to the operating room right now as her shunt is blocked.

We just want you all to pray for Cathie and Roz and the family circle right now.

Thanks so much!

It's 8:18 pm and the operating room just became available.

God bless you all.

Pat

Thank you for this update Pat, I am so sorry Rachael is having such an awful day. I have been enjoying reading about all the things she has been getting up to as she was gradually gaining strength. I will, of course, keep Rachael, Cathie and all the family in my thoughts and prayers.

Shunts, whilst doing a fantastic job, can also get blocked etc quite often unfortunately I hope they manage to sort everything out and this doesn't set Rachael back too much.

Together in hope,

Natalya x

Paul and I just arrived home from London, Ontario and there was an email waiting for us that I'll share with you from Cathie at the hospital:

Hi, Pat and Paul

It's about 10:30pm. Rachael is out of surgery, she is still in the recovery room so we haven't seen her yet. Of course it took longer than expected because Dr. De Ribaupierre had to replace the entire shunt, not just a part of it - but she said there was not too much pressure, so they caught it in time.

Thanks again for coming down

love, Cathie