On January 30th, we went to PVH due to my daughter having headaches at night for 3 nights in a row. The last day, she was screaming bloody murder, so we went in. We were rushed to Children's Hospital in Aurora that night and admitted for over a week. She was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma. She underwent a craniotomy. They removed the main mass but left behind a little one that they don't know what it is. It was growing near the main mass but not attached. Our last MRIs showed multiple unknown foci enhancing, including the one that was left behind during surgery. So we are being monitored closely. It could be residual tumor or scar tissue changing over the healing process. All we can do is watch and see what it does as they're too small to remove or know what they are. I did take all of February off work so I could take care of her, which also threw finances through a loop.

She suffered from posterior fossa syndrome, ataxia, and excess fluids on the brain, as well as some eye damage to her peripherals. We have MRIs every 3 months, eye doctor visits every 3 months, medical team meetings with the various doctors involved, and every week she has occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy.

I had thought her insurance covered the majority of everything aside from copays, which were financially feasible for me. Turns out we owe $912 to PVH, $250 for physical therapy, and $300 for occupational therapy. Physical therapy is being denied now by insurance, meaning any further sessions through them will be $250 per session. Occupational therapy, I'm unsure why we are suddenly billed that, so I'm hoping going forward it will be covered again. If not, then I will have to change all of her therapies to Children's Hospital, which is also a very tough task.

I thought I would be able to cover everything on my own, but it turns out I can't and I do need help. A handful of people saw her after surgery; those that did know how essential it is for her to continue therapies.

Previously, a dear friend made an Angel Link for us, but it somehow tanked. Some received their refunds, and others did not. I received nothing directly from there. A couple of friends did give their donations in cash, which helped tremendously.

She is the toughest, sweetest, silliest and messiest girl I know.