Help Pyper

From the heart of Vicki, Taylor's amazing single-mother:

A precious child is the greatest gift a parent can receive from God. There are no instructions, promises or
guarantees included. We begin a life journey with our children with optimism and hope for a great future. No one
ever thinks that anything bad will happen to your child. The reality is, things do happen. Its not until its your child that
it becomes real. It became real about Taylor on February 22, 2007 when the words "Cancer", "Brain Tumor" and my
daughters name were all in one sentence. It was the absolute worse day of my life. I am her mother. I'm supposed to
kiss boo-boos and make them feel better. I was helpless against the invasion in my daughter's brain stem. Unable
to fix it. I was in a fog of denial at the news. Taylor had a life-threatening tumor and there were decisions to be made
and procedures were of urgency. She was admitted the same day as the tumor was discovered to Children's Health
care of Atlanta at Scottish Rite - CHOA. There are many types of brain tumors, all have different characteristics.
Taylor was unlucky in that her tumor is one that makes up only 9% of all children who are diagnosed with a tumor. It's
fast growing, located on the brain stem, which makes it inoperable and it has octopus-like tentacles that invade and
migrate the surrounding normal brain, which makes these tumors a major challenge to treat. A class IV tumor
requires aggressive multi drug chemotherapy and radiation. Surgery is not an option as it would result in severe
neurological impairment. Treatment was set and implemented immediately. Taylor went through Gamma Knife
Radiation fairly well. Hair loss was minimal, taste buds were lost and she was tired a lot of the time. When the
chemotherapy was started she had blood counts dropping, need of transfusions and very fatigued. Everyday was
different for her. For the most part things went well right up until August 2007. Taylor's 9Th birthday occurred and her
"make a wish" was being granted - a trip to Disney World for 5 days. Two days before leaving Taylor was having
spiking fevers, she felt bad all the time and complained once again of headaches. That had not happened since the
shunt, to re-route brain fluid, had been placed. She was admitted to CHOA on August 29, 2007 to the Aflac Cancer
and Blood Disorder Center. The Doctors were doing tests trying to find the cause of fevers. What happened next no
parent could ever prepare for. Taylor dropped off to sleep at 5:00 AM the morning of September 3rd. She had been
feeling awful for a couple of days prior. I tried several times during the day to arouse her, but nothing. Nurses were in
and out all day checking her vital signs and giving medications. I began to be concerned about her not waking up.
At shift change for the nurses that evening her nurse addressed my concern. She realized Taylor was in trouble. The
neurosurgeon was called in immediately. He found fluid around the valve area on Taylor's shunt. The fluid was
collecting once again on her brain. Emergency surgery was done to place an external catheter to pump the fluid out,
but Taylor had drifted into a comatose state. She was placed on breathing support and remained that way for 11
more days. When she awoke from the coma, she was a changed child. She could not speak, swallow, eat or walk
and range of motion for arms was limited. A feeding tube through her nose was required. When she began to silent
aspirate, pneumonia set up in her left lung. Finally after 25 days in ICU she was transfer ed to rehabilitation. Taylor
was going to need intensive therapy to overcome her loss of motor skills. After a 62 day hospital stay we went home
to start outpatient rehab. That has been limited due to Insurance coverage. She needs much more. Respiratory
issues became apparent which landed her back in the hospital. She was to weak in her swallowing to manage the
movement of secretions. It became evident that a tracheotomy was necessary. She was scheduled for tracheotomy
and port-a-cath all in one surgery. She was returned to the PI CU after surgery and required morphine for the
discomfort. Her Christmas was spent in a hospital bed. She moved back to the rehabilitation area and received
therapy a second time. We went home January 20, 2008. I hoped for the best and feared for the worst. She started
spiking fevers yet again due to a staff infection in her trach. Hospitalized for an additional week. On February 18,
2008 I brought her home and all has been well so far. She has started therapy again, as much as insurance will
allow. Which is not near enough. Taylor's journey to recovery is just beginning. She requires constant care at this
time, but with intensive out patient therapy she could regain her motor skills that were lost. She could talk and eat
again with adequate intensive therapy. I'll continue to advocate for her to get the therapy she deserves. A healing
break is now needed. Her little body is weak from chemotherapy and radiation and the lack of mobility. Her body
needs time to repair and rebuild itself. Her oncologist will follow her closely with blood work weekly and MRI scans
every 3 months. During this break, with no chemotherapy working in her system, the tumor will either reduce, remain
the same or grow. We must wait and see. She has survived for a year with this malignant tumor. I have hope for a
better tomorrow. Many children, not all, are now long-term survivors. Taylor is deserving of survivor-ship. I have
discovered a renewed sense of fragility and beauty of life after my child was diagnosed with cancer. I appreciate
life and consider each day with Taylor a precious gift. I love her so much. The best possible life is all I ask for her.
There are so many stories like Taylor's. Our faith is helping us cope and push on. God is the ultimate healer. So if
you are reading Taylor's story, include her in your prayers. Prayers work! As I was preparing this story of Taylor's
illness, she received another disappointment. Her tumor has began new growth progression. She is being put back
on chemotherapy immediately. Please keep Taylor in your prayers.

The above story came straight from the heart of Taylor's mother. They have been through so much and
Cancer Warriors needs your help in order to lighten the financial burden on their family. Taylor is on
very expensive medication and although insurance does cover some, it is not near enough! Please
donate directly to Taylor through Cancer Warriors and know that 100% of your donation will be donated
directly to her family to help them this month and allow them to concentrate on what matters most -
"The love between a mother and her child!"