Update 23-07-2008

JESSICA'S MRI SCAN RESULTS:

Jessie's tumor is stable! As much as I would love for the tumor to be smaller, I so much welcome this good news!

JESSICA'S SCOLIOSIS:

Now the bad news. We had an orthopeadic's appointment on Friday and after seeing Jessica's X-ray pictures, we all clearly agreed that her scoliosis is significantly progressing to worse and from 20 degrees 18 months ago it progressed do 48 degrees!!! What does that mean? That means that under normal circumstances, Jessie would be put on a waiting list for spinal rods operated in and those rods would straighten her spine by about 50% so she would be left with "only about 25degress" which is good and she would have to have a surgery every six months to lengthen those rods as she grows.
The main concern is what happens with Jessie's tumor if her spine is straightened?
 
But due to Jessie having the tumor wrapped around the spine, there are many risks and issues to be considered.

The two consultants I spoke to think that her tumor might tear up if they straighten the spine in one go and they are also not sure if stretching the tumor when straightening the spine will cause cord compression and as a result of this paralysis. This is obviously a serious issue to disscuss with neurosurgeon, oncologist and orthopeadic surgeon which will be carried out hopefully over the next 3 months and by then we will see if her scoliosis progressed even more.

There is also a technique for straightening the rods very slowly and also spinal fusion but you really don't want to fuse spine of a six year old as that would prevent from her growing.
 
I will be seeking second opinions from all around the world to find the best possible treatment of scoliosis with minimum of risks involved.

Update 25-04-2008

Jessica had her MRI scan on the 2nd of April and her tumor is stable. As much as I would love for her tumor to get smaller, I so much welcome this good news. The report says: "02/04/2008 MR Contrast Comparisons made with the previous scans dated 15/01/8 and 01/10/07. No significant change since the previous study. Stable degree of cord distortion."

I am happy that Jessica's tumor is not growing because, as her oncologist said to me yesterday, her spinal cord is "significantly" compressed already. It is very 'unlikely' that Jessica's tumor will grow but we continue our fundraising efforts for "should Jessica relapse" as her tumor would start growing and there would be a great risk of her getting paralysed.
 
Jessica continues to do well at the moment and she attends osteopathy centre once a week, complimentary health therapist Bob Jacobs once a month, swimming lessons for her scoliosis twice a week, art club once a week, Czech school once a week, Stagecoach drama school once a week and of course she invites her lovely little friends to play with her as much as she can.

We also managed to squeeze few horse riding sessions a months into her very busy schedule. Jessica certainly keeps very busy but she loves it that way and I believe all those activities are very important for her wellbeing as it helps her to relax, improves her immune system and improves her self-confidence as she lost a lot of it whilst on her treatment and loosing her hair.
 
I would like to say big thank you to all that donated and to those that offered to do fundraising events for us so far.
 
Stana Magnus