Ashley

It is with profound sadness that I post this message. Our little Ashley had not been feeling well the last couple of weeks. After two visits to her pediatrician's office last week we were sent to the ER of Hinsdale Hospital. An initial x ray showed a "patch" of what they thought to be pneumonia. She was also a bit dehydrated as she had lost all interest in eating or drinking. They decided to keep her overnight for observation and told us that she would be hooked up to an IV with fluids and antbiotics and that she would be a brand new kid in the morning. Well, that was last Thursday and it seems that her condition only worsened each day in the hospital. During this time she had test upon test upon test performed (everything from ultrasounds to cat scans) and finally a cat scan of her lungs revealed that the "patch" they thought was pneumonia was actually a fairly large tumor sitting on her left lung.

Right now is the most difficult time because we don't know exactly what we are up against. We need to get a biopsy of the tumor but before they can do that she will be getting an MRI tomorrow morning because they fear the tumor is pressing against her spinal cord and / or her trachea. Once the MRI reveals exactly where the tumor is positioned, they will be able to decide what type of biopsy they can move forward with. We are praying that it will be the less invasive method (through a needle) as opposed to the more invasive method of cutting her open.

We ask that you keep her in your prayers. She is the sweetest most beautiful girl and she means everything to us and it is with the love of friends and family that we will get through this.