02/27/08

Hello Everyone-
Kara is going to try to post; but with three kids it is hard to get to the computer.

Monday was another very long tiring day at the hospital. Caitlyn and her Dad left early in the morning to get down to the hospital for the MRI. Her Mom got the boys off to school and then met them at the hospital.

The last MRI the doctors saw a slight increase in the tumor but the MRI was classified as stable. This MRI shows additional growth and the doctors are now classifying the MRI as PD - progressive disease.

The good news is that usually when a DIPG tumor starts to grow the growth is very fast and aggressive; but in Caitlyn's case the growth is slow. This indicates that her current treatment protocol is at least slowing the tumor down. Also she is not showing any symptoms that indicate that the tumor is affecting her balance, vision, or reflexes etc.

There is not another clinical trial open at this time, so the plan is to continue on the same treatment plan. The next MRI is scheduled in 4 weeks.

Please pray that God will stand with the family and give them hope in this battle. Please keep Caitlyn, Kara, Jason, Patrick and Jackson in your prayers.

Thank you,
Margaret Donahue

02/20/08

We enjoyed a great long weekend at the Wisconsin Dells. This was our 5th Annual trip to the Dells with my parents and brothers family. This is a trip that we did not think we would be taking this year. It was almost surreal to be playing in the water for three days as if nothing was wrong. What a difference a day makes or in our case 9 months. On February 22, it will be 9 months since Caitlyn's diagnosis. Nine months since we were told she would not be here in 9 months.

She has proven to be a miracle, to be one of the lucky ones. We don't take it for granted and we know that things could change at any time. This is a change we don't want to think about or face. So for now we are rejoicing in the fact that we get to plan a 6th birthday party for her. We are so thankful, that we can spend another day in good health with her; and that we can hug and kiss her without sadness.

Please say prayer for Caitlyn this weekend as she will be going in for her MRI on Monday.

Thank you,
Kara, Jason, Patrick, Jackson, and Caitlyn

02/11/08

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Kara asked me to post for her today. It was after 7p and they were just heading home. Kara said Jason was driving and traffic was not too bad considering the snow. Today was a treatment day, and another long day at CMH. Overall, Caitlyn is doing well. She remains stable and she is still on the avastin/irinotecan trial.

Kara said Caitlyn had a rough day today. She got sick today; but seemed to be doing ok on the ride home. Hopefully it just means the chemo is doing what it is supposed to do. She goes back in two weeks for treatment and an MRI.

Thank you for keeping Caitlyn and the Churaks in your prayers. Please pray that Caitlyn bounces back from this treatment and feels better as soon as possible. Please also pray for positive results on the next MRI. I know Kara reads the guestbook signatures to Caitlyn so thanks also for all the kind notes.

I saw Caitlyn about a week ago and she was doing well. During my visit, she insisted on putting on her Minnie Mouse costume, complete with gloves and ears (see cute pix).

Thanks again for the prayers,
-Margaret Donahue

****If you would like to be notified when this blog is updated please send an email to: update@caitlynchurak.com

02/01/2008

http://www.abta.org/

3rd Annual

Brain Tumor Path to Progress

5K Run/Walk

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Montrose Harbor,

Chicago Race time 10 am

Details about

Team Caitlyn

www.caitlynchurak.com/26apr2008.htm