Brooklyn's Treatment Plan

Well we have more to update tonight. Derek and Angelie called the radiologist this morning (Wednesday) and told him that they had decided to go ahead with radiation treatment. They feel good about this decision and want to get going. The radiologist was extremely happy with this decision, he was hoping that they would start treatments with Brooklyn and he feels like she is a good candidate. They are going down tomorrow to get her "permanent" IV put in. (I'm told the correct terminology for this is PICC. My dad had one on his chest, last time Brooklyn's was on her arm.) She had this last time also because she has to be sedated every time she gets a radiation treatment. On Friday they will be getting the mold "mask" made. The mask fits her head perfectly and keeps her in the right place while radiation is administered. Her first radiation treatment will be Tuesday. Angelie will find out on Friday how many days a week Brooklyn will receive radiation, and more of the details. Last time Brooklyn and Angelie stayed with Angelie's Grandma in Provo to be closer to treatments and they went home on the weekends to be with Derek. We will see if that is the plan this time also.

(The picture is just an example of what a radiation mask looks like. They actually bolt the mask to the table and Brooklyn will have 2 little tattoos put on the back of her head so that once she is in place they can line up the machine perfectly. No guessing games here.)

Later this afternoon Angelie talked to the oncologist. The oncologist was also very pleased that they had chosen to carry on with treatments. The oncologist feels like Brooklyn may even have a better than 1 in 4 chance of success. She didn't say how much better, but better is better in our world! She wants to give Brooklyn about a 4-5 week break after her radiation treatments, and then do a round of chemotherapy. She (the oncologist) didn't want to map out the exact plan for chemotherapy just yet, but rather wait until closer to time. Both radiologist and oncologist seem to be tackling this head on and both seem very optimistic about the results aggressive treatment will produce.

We greatly appreciate all the comments and support in our behalf. The special fast on Sunday will be a perfect prelude for Brooklyn's treatments, and we can see little miracles happening already. Everyones spirits seem to have been lifted today after such positive feedback from the doctors. I will post any new information Angelie might get this weekend.

Love,

The Walker Family

As promised: Brooklyn Update

"Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks." -Elder Busche

First off, how is Brooklyn doing post surgery? GREAT! It is amazing how going in to a surgery healthy makes a world of difference. She is generally back to her "normal" life playing and being a sweet little girl! And I want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who sent Brooklyn Valentine's. Derek said she was absolutely thrilled to be receiving mail, (and quite honestly it may have possibly meant more to Derek than Brooklyn).

Yesterday (Valentine's Day) Derek, Angelie, and Brooklyn had their 1st follow up visit with the Radiologist. The Radiologist has answered a lot of questions that we all were having about this 2nd go around of things. One question we had was if this tumor was the same type of cancer tumor that Brooklyn had the first time. The answer is yes, this is the same type. This means Brooklyn is dealing with a very aggressive type of cancer to have it come back in only 4 months. Another bit of information they learned was that the surgeon was extremely hesitant to even perform this surgery a 2nd time.

As I mentioned in the last post, we originally were told that there were 2 tumors, but when in surgery it was discovered that it was actually 1 tumor. We were also told that this last tumor was outside the area where Brooklyn received radiation last time. The brain can only receive so much radiation in one area before negative side effects kick in. Brooklyn received the maximum dose of radiation last year. This is significant because when her radiologist compared MRI's it was discovered that a portion of this last tumor is actually in the same area as her previous tumor. This means that even with Brooklyn's first surgery and maximum dose of radiation, the cancer was back only 1 year later.

So, the radiologist gave Derek and Angelie 2 options which I will explain:

Option 1: Do Nothing

They can choose to do no further treatments at this time. We can hope that this last surgery got 100% of the cancer and that Brooklyn will live a great and normal life. The chances of that being the case are slim to none considering how aggressive the cancer is. More likely the cancer will return in about a year and at that point Brooklyn's doctors would only be able to treat her symptoms keeping her as comfortable and happy as possible until she eventually would pass away.

Option 2: Do a shortened round of radiation treatments

They would give Brooklyn about 20 more radiation treatments. This is a shortened amount compared to last time. This reduced treatment is due to the negative side effects that more radiation in this same general area would produce. The most likely side effects Brooklyn would experience is weakening of the right side of the body, with an extremely probable outcome of paralysis of the right side of her body. When this type of cancer returns a second time after a child has already received surgery and radiation treatment, the odds are 1 in 4. So the chances of this radiation treatment working to cure Brooklyn is not real great. There is a better chance of the cancer returning again despite the treatment, and there would be nothing left to try. Neither surgery nor radiation treatments would be an option for Brookie.

The radiologist sent Derek and Angelie home to think, discuss, and make some tough decisions.

I can't even imagine what it must have been like for Derek and Angelie to sit through an appointment like that... where the doctor is giving you options both with slim chances of a happy ending. As you can imagine the last 24 hours has been rather emotional for the Walker family. I have talked to Derek quite extensively since the appointment. I asked him which route they are leaning toward. He said they of course want to at least try the radiation even though it makes Brooklyn so sick and the paralysis effects more radiation would cause. Derek and Angelie are of course hoping that Brooklyn would be the 1 in the 4 that would result in success of more treatment.

The reason this is all such a HUGE shock for all of us is that Brooklyn is probably the healthiest and most active we have seen her in the last 2 years (and she is only 3 years old). It is hard to believe that the radiologist is not that optimistic about the outcome considering she is doing so great!

I hope I have written this update in a way to convey that the Walkers have not just given up all hope. In reality we are relying on our faith and testimonies that the Lord is in control. We are also trying to be realistic with the information given to us.

I asked Derek to tell me what his family needs. The first thing that came to his mind was a special fast. We will be having a fast for anyone who wants to join us on this coming Sunday. This should be a fast not only for Brooklyn and the miracle she so desperately could use, but also for Derek and Angelie to be strengthened at this most difficult time. I will continue to make blog updates as things progress; and I think that over the next several months there will be other "physical" needs that will arise. I will pass those along as I keep everyone updated.

I'm sure it goes without saying that keeping the Derek Walker Family in your every day prays would be so much appreciated. I would also encourage you that if you feel inclined over the next several months to send Derek's family an email or a facebook message, a note in the mail, a phone call, whatever.... do it! Little things like that made all the difference to us when our Dad was so sick.

I started out this post with a quote from Elder Busche. This is from the movie clip posted below. It has really helped me over the last 2 days.

Thanks again for all of your support and love.

Elder F Enzio Busche of The Church of Jesus Christ

Brooklyn at Primary Children's

Brooklyn smiles for Sicily on Sunday. Her surgery was Friday at noon. She is recovering pretty well but has been wanting to go home for several days. Derek thinks they might be released today (Tuesday).

Prior to our visit on Sunday, Brooklyn has been grumpy/tired/upset at being hospitalized. She definitely knows what is going on a little better this time than last time. Angelie said she has pulled out all IVs except the one in her foot. This made the wagon ride interesting as Sicily has no regard for a hurt IV foot!

As documented in the pictures, Sicily absolutely will not leave her hair alone, that is the reason for the wild hair in the movie clip. Sicily had enough of people telling her to be careful with Brooklyn; so she decides to get out and pull. Sicily was happy with this arrangement... and so was Brooke! Brooklyn seemed more bruised on the face this time than I remember last time. (From laying face down during surgery). They must have restrained her a little tighter? We still have not heard back on pathology... so no word yet if this means more radiation or chemotherapy. Her surgeon was able to get the entire tumor. Originally it was thought that there were 2 tumors, but when they got in there they realised it was just one hooked together. The follow up MRI did show that the entire tumor was removed. I left with Mark on Sunday night, but my mom is still in Logan with Porter. Angelie is concerned that Brooklyn will be quite needy when they come home, so maybe mom will stay on an extra day to help get her settled with 2 kids to take care of.

Just a little background: Brooke's previous scan was in September and nothing was found, so this tumor grew to detection in only 4 months. That is pretty quick. As of Sunday we did not have an answer as to how big the tumor was when they took it out. I have heard Angelie mention that maybe it would be good to do a round of chemo just to make sure they kill any lingering undetectable cells so Brooke can be through with all of this. Time will tell.


The Walker family has high spirits and when I stayed at Derek's for the weekend there was just an overall good feeling in his home. We know that they are being watched over and the Spirit is present there. I can't think of a better atmosphere for Brookie to recover in.

Wouldn't it be cool if Brooklyn received TONS of Valentines in the mail from everyone who is rooting for her?
Brooklyn Walker
1736 S. 1150 W.
Logan, UT 84321

I will try to keep everyone updated as things progress and as I get more information.