December 30th

Got a phone call early today with news from the pathology lab. You may remember that the doctors know nothing about the cancer tumor until they blast it with chemo, take it out and study it under a microscope piece by piece. This is done after removal. After assessing the tumor they are able to determine exactly what percentage of the tumor was killed by the chemo drugs. If the chemo was not able to do the job anticipated, the treatment plan changes using different (even less desirable) drugs and extends past the time frame originally anticipated. The docs shoot for a 95% dead tumor as a best case scenario. Sofie's tumor came out 98% dead!!!!!!!

Essentially this means her outcome was even better than desired & will not require changing her treatment plan in any way. All systems a go. She/we will begin treatment again on January 7th, the 1st in 2010 of 12 treatments, each requiring a 5 day stay.

I feel humbled and relieved but I can't say surprised because Sofie has had "best case scenario" in terms of her response to treatment since the beginning. This is due to the person she is, but also because of who you are--support everywhere from complete strangers to beloved acquaintances. You have brought us to our knees. There are not words to describe how we feel about the outpouring of your hearts in Sofie's behalf. There are good, brave, generous and compassionate people in this world and we get to meet them and share in their lives everyday because of cancer. Thank you for sharing your hearts with our family.

Bonnie

a happy little side note (and an incredibly happy HUGE one)...

...looks like sofie's boyfriend, damon, and his jackson high school basketball team ranked #4 in the state, beat their rivals 64-62 in double overtime. way to go, damon!

stay tuned for a huge announcement from bonnie of exceptionally good news...

--geoff

blood counts...UP!

all of sofie's blood levels are at least good, and some of them very good! hooray!!!

and daddy in provo didn't lose a movie megan had sent us in the mail. whew! (especially after he was sure he had delivered it, or at least NOT LOST it.)

Megan Maxwell

Let me introduce you to Megan Maxwell. She has been babysitting for my sister (Jennifer May) in Duvall, Wa. since she was 10 years old. It was also at the age of 10 that she began doing her own little pre-school which my sister promply enrolled her little ones into. She is 20 years old now and finishing her degree in early childhood development. She also teaches children's dance in a studio in Duvall.
When Sofie was diagnosed, Megan became involved in following her blog. She had never met Sofie but last summer she got tickets in LA for a taping of SYTYCD and needed an adult to accompany her so I went. Thats when I got to know Megan. She decided after Sof got cancer, knowing that sof was a dancer, to set up a surprise week-end in Seattle and arranged for tickets to the last SYTYCD on tour in Seattle along with back stage passes. We had a ball that week-end and Sof and Megan bonded. After we got back home to Jackson, Meg asked how I would feel about her flying to Jackson and asked her mom if she could have the trip for Christmas. I was excited but knew that visiting Sofie meant a lot of health care and hard work. Living at the hospital can be grueling because of the long hours, and when Sof doesnt feel good it can be a heavy environment. Megan made it clear that she was coming not to vacation but to serve in anyway possible. She got here on the 14th of December, flying straight into Jackson and then drove down with us for the surgery. She lived at the hospital with Sof for 7 days and was with her during Sofs hardest moments at the hospital. She sat with sof, holding her hand and rubbing her arm from a chair next to her bed for hours in a dimly lit room to help Sof get her mind off pain and nausea. Megan has become a nurse, a mother's helper, a house cleaner and organizer, and a cook. She times Sofies medications every 3 hours on her phone all thru the night to make sure sof gets her meds on time. She gets her to the bathroom before I am even aware that Sof "has to go" and situates her back in bed with a bazillion pillows propping her leg and cushioning her boney areas that are so tired of lying in the same position! She has been playing beauty parlor with my 8 and 10 year old, spotting them in gymnastics and choreographing dances with them. Because she is so experienced with little ones, she is sometimes the only able to console Hallie when she is having a meltdown. I cannot describe enough the depth of my amazement at who this girl is and what she has tirelessly given to our family during this time. I honestly dont want to adjust to not having her here anymore. She leaves on New Years day to finish one more semester of school. We will miss her greatly and are trying to talk her into coming back for the summer!!! Thank-you from the bottom of our hearts. You will never know the impact you've had on our lives..... Love Bonnie

PS I am looking for a ride to SLC for Meg on New Years day. She will need to go to Kaysville to stay with my parents and fly out the next day. Let me know if this might work with any of your schedules!! Thank-you!

December 24th

Sofie is becoming more mobile and less weak. She is learning how to crutch but her leg is dead weight because she has no muscle memory in that leg. Its largely a new and thus foreign body part in which she will have to learn from scratch how to use. She cant hold it up in any way so while she is crutching we have to hold her leg out front for her. We can do this at home no problem but outside of home, she needs a wheel chair. Sof was in great spirits today and even went to a 2 hour catholic Christmas mass where we have dear friends. I was a little nervous it might be too much for her. Sometimes her pain meds cause her heart rate to go down and she feels she needs more oxygen. It triggers an anxiety response which we then have to treat with benedryl. Although I had her meds with me at mass, I forgot to bring the benedryl. When anxiety hit she just put her hand out and asked me to hold it while she breathed. Ten minutes later mass was over and she was able to get passed it. We finished the day off with lots of good cheer and are now anticipating the arrival of Santa (yes, I still have one more child who believes!). Merry Christmas everyone and thank-you so so much for your love, support and untold generosity from acquaintances and strangers alike. Your gifts always come when we need them the very most and even the smallest gestures are so very HUGE to us and to Sofie. This is what Christmas means to us and thank-you for catholic mass telling us the story of Jesus and the reason why we celebrate Christmas.
Bonnie

Sofie's Return!

The blood transfusion went great. Sofie managed to get some rest while getting the transfusion. She is feeling much better and is very excited to get to be home for Christmas! We left Salt Lake around 6pm. She is currently in the back seat spralled out sleeping with about 100 pillows! It will be so nice to have Sofie at home and relaxed! As Sof states on her Facebook "this is the true meaning of Christmas!"

Megan

Blood Transfusion

One of Sofie's surgeons woke Sofie up at around 6am this morning to talk to her about her blood levels. Normally if one's red blood count is as low as a 20, a blood transfusion is required. Today Sofie's blood count was a 19. She is very sick this morning and will require 2 blood tranfusions to get her levels back up. They are prepping her now. Each transfusion takes up to 4 hours. Looks like today isnt the day we will be returning. Its very fogging and snowy outside.... dont want to travel after sun goes down. Maybe tomorrow.
Bonnie

cancer shmancer

one dynamic of critically major events is that all other aspects of life roll on and demand attention. included is the element of emotional life that can catch up to one in a hurry. sofie has dealt graciously, if painfully, with struggles going on around her from those who ought to know better (namely her ridiculous provo daddy). anyway, thank you heavenly father for providing the peace that passes understanding even to and for those who may least deserve it. and thanks for "granting us serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference."--st francis assisi.

--geoff

Return to Jackson

AGAIN, OUR PLAN IS TO LEAVE SLC TOMORROW, DECEMBER 23RD AT AROUND NOON TO DRIVE HOME TO JACKSON

December 22nd

WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE TO SIT IT OUT OR DANCE..... I HOPE YOU DANCE.....

Hope takes
Never ceasing to be amazed,
Wearing your soul on your sleeve,
Holding your breath,
Waiting to hear "I love you too..."
Believing that tomorrow could be better than today,
That you'll get a second chance,
That you'll make a difference,
That you matter.

December 22nd

Yesterday was the day that wouldnt end and just needed to. Finally ended it with a much needed priesthood blessing for Sofie. We didnt get to sleep til 2. Today it feels like a weight has been lifted. Doctors came in and unveiled her leg. I will blog the photo when we get home. Her leg looked fantastic!! Scar is beautiful, and even the doctors said it looked as good as it possibly could. She feels so much better now that it is in the cast. More secure. We will most likely be leaving tomorrow. Megan had her trip extended so she will be coming home with us for Christmas. We dont have the exact date for our return back to the hospital but it will either be the 2nd or 4th of January for her next chemo.
Sofie is back in high spirits today. Yesterday was one of her lowest points since diagnosis. She's got way too much going on in her little life and she was feeling the sheer the burden of it.

New days are GOOD!!!!! God is good. Bonnie

December 21st

Sof finished out last night by using bed pan. This morning she insisted she use the toilet and did a fantastic job getting out of bed and back. Then she took a long nap. PT came in to get her to try crutching. She stood up but couldnt hold her leg out front on her own once she was in a standing position so we held it for her. Close call with her passing out as I looked up and the blood had drained out of her face. We got her back down immediately. She felt like a big loser because she felt like a failure. Dad G and I talked her through this faulty thinking!!! Every morning and night brings new progress of things she didnt think she would be able to do. Its hard to believe she might actually be ready to get released tomorrow when she can barely get out of bed. Dont know if a 4 hour drive in the back of my car is going to be what the doctor ordered. Getting home might be trickier than we thought. Might need a bed pan for the drive. Cant imagine getting her into a gas station!! Also cant imagine her using her crutches for a while when she cant prop her leg in front of herself right now. Wow, we thot surgery was a sort of summit point but you know how you're hiking and you think your at the top til you get there and see that there is more? Thats what it feels like. Learning how to use her leg will be extraordinarily challenging, cast on or off. I will be like learning to use a new body part cause that what it is!! She is sleeping now. Uncle Todd coming with In and Out burgers! Sof has more uncles than we can count and they all all the BEST!!

Bonnie

More on December 20th

Today was hard. After coming off of the epidural her pain hit hard. She no longer had her catheter so she had to get up to go to the bathroom. It was excruciating for her. Lots of tears, just had to brave through it. Took many hands to navigate it. Proud of Sofie for what she accomplished. Sad for what she goes through. She had to wait 3 more hours to get her next round of pain meds and her pain was already high from getting up. Its 9 pm now and she is good, pains meds kicked in. Both her uncles here to visit..... Shawn and Ross. Sofie is on the phone with her Grandma Wilcox. We are in good spirits again.

Bonnie

December 20th

Sof got a good sleep in! Damon, who arrived last night with his mom and spent eve with us, arrived again first thing in the morning. Jeff, Hallie and Syd flew in early this am. And of course, Meg is here til tomorrow afternoon. Daddy G is always here.

Sof had her catheter and epidural removed today. Pain will now be managed by narcotic Loritab and Valium. Her pain level went to about a 6. She has been happy by and large today.

Bonnie

December 19th

Tried to sleep in but Sof got her 1st visitor at 8 am!! Eric and Becky Wilcox! No biggie, her physical therapist came at 8:30 anyway and Sof was so excited to see them. Sof is a little weaker today, low red blood cell count, nothing we're not used to but it makes her tired and drawn. Just when she finally got back to sleep at noon, her physical therapist came back and made her get up. How rude is that? Its all good.
Sof has grown attatched to a male CNA, Whit, that has been taking care of her. As we were all just doing our own thing here in the room, I looked over and Sof was crying. As the often panicked mother of a cancer patient I assumed she was in physical/emotional pain, and asked what was wrong. She was talking with Whit who had just told her he had a 2 year old son with a rare form of muscular atrophy. He has already beat the odds of life by reaching the age of two. Sof couldnt control the floodgates as Whit apologized that her tears were his fault. We spent time thereafter watching Jonas blogspot. What a dollie he is. Wow the people we meet.

Bonnie
PS coleman2family.blogspot.com (Jonas blogspot!)

1st Physical Therapy Appointment

Sofie had her first physical therapy appointment today at 2pm. The lady had Sof slowly sit up on the edge of her bed for about 10 minutes. This is as far as they had planned to go. Usually this is very difficult for patients with this surgery to do so quickly. That was not the case for Sofie. She proceeded to stand with the help of the nurse. They then helped her move to a wheelchair with her leg propped up. She said she felt fine. The physical therapist was very impressed that she could do that much! It was a very exciting moment for all of us! -Megan Maxwell

December 18th

Sofie got out of surgery at around midnight last. Dr Jones came in to talk with us. He was amazed by her during surgery. Her vital signs were strong throughout, there was little if any bleeding, and they DIDN'T need to do a skin graft, which they thought they would, even though they had to cut a triangle section of skin out (the skin which had been been touching up against the tumor.) They were able to save both main arterial vessels down her calf muscle (which took an additional hour and a half of surgery in and of itself). Her muscle was so big and healthy that there was plenty to draw from when they folded it over the implant, a part of the procedure that protects against infection long term. Because her skin stretched back together so well and they didn't have to do a skin graft, her scar will have a much nicer result. a small chance exists that a skin graft might still occur due to swelling over the next couple days, but that chance is marginal at most.

After surgery she was wide awake, so clear and lucid that the nurses were commenting amongst themselves about it. We were given two options for her pain management before surgery started. She could get an epidural (which is standard procedure in many hospitals nation wide) or could receive IV narcotics (morphine). It would seem a no brainer to go with the epidural but there is a slight chance of masking nerve damage which they like to test for directly following surgery. Naturally I was worried about the narcotic option as our family had a dear friend who was told there was no question he would have to go to rehab after his leg surgery because of the ammount of pain management that would be required.

We decided to compromise. They would insert the epidural but not begin dosing it until after surgery as needed. When she got out of surgery, she rated her pain level at an 8. Her doctor made the comment that her pain tolerance is high. He called her ability to handle pain "stoic". As she was in a high level of pain, her doc felt 100% confident following nerve testing. They began the epidural and her pain went from 8 to between a zero and 1. Any woman who has had an epidural can attest to the absolute blessing of this pain blocker.

Sof fell back asleep at 3 am. however kept awaking through out night for nurse inspections. She woke up for good at 10:30 which was also the time Geoff, Meg and I awoke too. To me it felt like 8 am at most. I felt like I lost half a day!

Sof will be in a splint for 48 hours so that the swelling has a chance to go down before the cast. Then she will get her cast put on. Sofie is currently playing cards with her dad, texting her friends and playing on her new computer. It will be a joyous day for us all.

The atmosphere in this hospital today is full of sick families who are full of the joy and faith that the Christmas seasons brings. It is very busy, barely any available space in the cafeteria today. I would never know with the conviction I have today the power of faith that carries people during their darkest hours. Sofie's result yesterday was facilitated directly through the power of your faith and prayers. Many of you fasted, including her sisters Sydnie and Hallie. (Hallie asked her dad if he would write a note to school so that she wouldnt have to keep explaining why she wasnt eating lunch). From Sydnie's 5th grade class, 2 interfaith friends fasted with her. Many of you are simply anonymous support whose faithful gestures have carried Sofie's progress to its current fruition. I am overwhelmed by who you are, each of you, and your faith in God who sustains us all. I am very emotional this morning, filled with the spirit, and ready to move her recovery forward now. She will be back for chemo within the next 14 days. Sure hopin' to make Damon's Star Valley game in Jackson.... first home game.... GO BRONCS!!!! We will try to blog lots while we are here!!!!!

Bonnie

a resounding success!

sofie's surgery went exceptionally well. she has been lucid and very comfortable since entering the recovery holding room last night around midnight. the next milestone will be no infections. keep fingers crossed and those prayers active! thank you all for the profound impact of your faith and prayers. the nasty interloper is removed!

dr jones, the surgeon, commented on her exceptional health and muscle tone. they use her calf muscle to protect the implant in some technical way and sofie's was so athletic (according to dr jones) that it made the surgery ever more effective. the metal rods inserted almost universally split the bone; sofie's tibia and femur both held firm, no splitting whatsoever! according to dr jones that is remarkable of itself. also, the doctors marveled post surgery at her recovery response; so lucid, so present and happy. currently she is very comfortable and we are having fun in the hospital room with her friend megan (the same megan who made possible sofie's attendance and backstage pass to "so you think you can dance" in seattle.)

--geoff

surgery underway

well, at 1:10 pm sofie walked through the doorway of the surgical unit leaving behind her mother, father, friend megan (all the way from the seattle area), and an angel of mercy from my lds congregation in provo who showed up at the hospital to help however she might. sofie was her typical good humored self throughout the entire morning leading right up to the walk that will remain etched, i am sure, in the heads and hearts of each of us there. if sofie registered any fear, it was hardly noticeable. incredible to think she walked through that doorway all biology to return 10 hours later without a tumor and only slightly metallic for the wear. we are at once terrified and comforted. we call upon father in heaven in united prayer to work the deep magic of christ and christmas upon dr jones as he lays hands upon our dear girl.

before signing off for now, a deep thanks to everyone for their donations.

--geoff

December 17th... sugery day

So had a fabulous time in Jackson this go around. She got to take bows with lead dancers of Alice in Wonderland and spend countless hours with dancers back stage, at dress rehearsals and performances. Two nights ago, friends and family met for a surprise send off for her. She was presented with her new Mac Pro lap top which the "schmancer club" purchased with the Sofie bracelet money... very joyous occassion. Last night we watched a full dress rehearsal and left Jax at 8:30 pm. We had a blast on that drive, me, Sofie and Megan Maxwell. Sofie voice recorded her whole cancer journey from the begining so that Megan could use it for a dance performance that her dance studio is performing in May about Sofie. Sof felt great, even ate pizza at 11:30 right before she was to start her fast. We laughed harder than ever the whole way. At 1:20 am, we pulled into the driveway of my parents. Sof said she was sick so I got her meds and walked her in. By the time we got her in bed she was white. I asked her what she was feeling, said she didnt know. She started crying and said it was getting worse. I asked her where it hurt, said she didnt know, crying harder. She said she never felt anything like it, starting getting hysterical. Sofie has NEVER had an anxiety attack before in her life but I knew what this was..... been through it with her brother. I gave her 2 benedryl which I knew would act as zanax and began to rub her legs and get her breathing right, when SHE said, I think Im having anxiety about tomorrow. The doctors had told us that cancer patients will typically throw up anticipating going into the hospital again but no one mentioned the possibility of a full blown anxiety attack. It made sense... she had cried a little earlier about being scared for surgery. So thankfully she was dead asleep about 15 minutes into the anxiety.

We are leaving for the hospital at 9:40. Sugery at noon. Fasting today and praying continually for clarity in that surgery room where 7 professionals need to work 10 hours on her leg. Thank you for thoughts, prayers, donations, fasting and the love of so countless many. Bonnie

surgery this thursday, dec 17

if all goes as planned, surgery will take place this thursday, dec 17 to remove the tumor and to implant metallic replacements of excised knee and bone. we invite all to fast with us that day on behalf of sofie and the surgeon, dr kevin jones, and pray for each directly and by name. thank you all so very much.

--geoff

viral infection

turns out the mucositis wasn't mucositis after all. sofie has a viral infection that apparently we just wait out to go away of its own. hopefully no big deal...

surgery and fasting postponed!

so, everybody, surgery has been postponed until this thursday, dec 17, due to mucositis. please adjust your fast accordingly.

a slim chance exist that it's an infection and not mucositis. but dr jones believes it is most likely this very common side effect of methotrexate, one of three chemo compounds routinely introduced into sofie's body.

mucositis is NOT dangerous of itself. dr jones said it's more a hassle and possibly painful for sofie than anything else. it is dangerous with respect, and i do mean respect, to metal inside the body which is why they postpone surgery for it. bacteria constantly sheet off the little white sores heightening the possibility of infection to the inserts.

Dates we will be in Jackson

Some have asked when Sof and I will be home. Doc is saying it may be 5 days in hospital. We are tentatively saying we will leave SLC on the 16th or 17th with a return back for chemo on the 27th. Gives us approx, 10 days home for the holidays. When we get home, she will largely be immobile as her cast will be from hip to foot. She may be in a wheel chair or may be good on crutches. We won't be going out a lot but hope to attend Alice in Wonderland on closing night, the 19th. Sofie may be requesting baby blue or green for her cast..... she really wanted me to include that.... amazing info.

WE LOVE YOU BRANDI ORCHARD!!!!!!

Bonnie and Sofie

Prayer Rolls

If you are attending the temple today or tomorrow, please place Sofie's surgeon's name on the prayer rolls. And if you are not attending the temple and are so inclined please call the temples and have his as well as Sofie's name added. I will be attending the Bountiful temple on the day of surgery so I will get the names put on the rolls there on the 11th. His name is Kevin B.Jones. Thank-you. Im so looking forward to a marvelous day at the temple on Friday. Bonnie

PS The surgeon spent over an hour with us this morning talking about the surgery. I guess I didnt realize that he will also be taking 3 inches of femur as well. He is a most amazing man as well as surgeon.

our cousin lili

sofie had a wonderful day today, highlighted by a long visit with her wonderful cousin lili hall. sofie simply adores her.

i spoke with dr jones today and the latest mri reflects pretty much what they would expect. they use it primarily for surgical strategizing. anyway, for this kind of procedure and by comparison, sofie's prognosis is dang good.

--geoff

missing friends

our sofie misses her friends. last night was a little rough, not with physical discomfort as much, but grieving time lost with friends and facing that fear of the unknown. currently we are placing much faith in our surgeon since the surgery is quickly upon us. sofie had an mri yesterday from which they should get some sense of the tumor response to chemo. we so hope for the best.

December 7th Happy B-Day Josef!!!

Some have been asking for Sofies shipping address down here so here it is:
Chuck Turner- for Sofie Huntington
175 So Edgehill Circle
Kaysville Ut 84037

Chuck Turner is Sofie's grandpa, my Dad

Bonnie

tender mercies

bonnie put it so beautifully this morning regarding sofie's night which went much better than we had anticipated: "one of the lord's tender mercies."

sofie suffered about an hour, no more, of touch and go with severe nausea, but all went away and she slept soundly through the night. today we are feeling the effects of everyone's fasting and prayer. sofie and i feel extremely christmassy just hanging out together on a wonderful sunday listening to motown christmas selections from pandora.com. wonderful day. thanks for all your prayers and good karma.

--geoff

Speaking of fasting

Hi, this is Bonnie. My thoughts on the fast include 2 opportunities for all those who want to participate (Lds members, community members and loved ones of ALL faiths):

The first opportunity is for a traditional first-Sunday-of-the-month fast about to take place and dedicated to Sofie's surgeon, her surgery and post-op recovery.

The 2nd opportunity including sofie's direct family, close family members, friends and all who want to participate will be a 24 hour fast combined with prayer beginning the morning of Friday December 11th and going til breakfast the next morning. It's a 24 hour fast begun and ended with prayer.

As well as being one of the best in the field, Sofie's surgeon, coming out of Harvard and Johns Hopkins medical school, is also a great man of faith. He is meticulous in his work preferring to work slowly and thoughtfully. Sof's particular surgery involves working around a plethora of vessels and tendons. Doc's performance needs to be immaculate, navigating through it all, as he replaces her knee and leg. She has opted for steel knee which will allow only a 90 degree range of motion bending her leg.

Our prayer and desire are for her to have an optimal result for a return back to dance next year DESPITE obvious limitations. She is dedicated to seeing her Senior year through to perform her senior piece which she has been choreographing in her head for many years. No doubt Sofie's goals are shifting as God directs her life. We are along for the wondrous journey of it all. Bonnie

fasting

for those participating today in the tradition of fasting first sunday of the month, we invite you to focus your thoughts and prayers on sofie's surgery scheduled this upcoming friday, dec 11. thanks to all for their prayers, love, and support heretofore.

basketball!

sofie's boyfriend, damon, scored over 20 points in their high school basketball opener that they won 55-30! go jackson and go damon!!!

last round of pre-surgery chemo

back to hospital tomorrow for the last pre-surgery chemo, another round of methotrexate. bonnie and sof are driving to slc tonight. sofie's white blood count is good, her red and platelets a little iffy at this point. similar situation last week and her counts came back by day of, so we hope for the same tomorrow.

a week from today for removing the tumor, so your prayers are greatly appreciated. also, we invite your fast this sunday.

--geoff

december 3rd

To the parents of my music students: Due to the change in Sofies surgery date to Dec 11th and her chemo schedule afterward, the very soonest I'll be able to teach is sometime in late January. Miss those kids!!
Bonnie

hooray!!!

after administration of methotrexate, levels have to drop to .1 before release from the hospital. i don't really know what .1 means, but when first measured following complete infusion, levels have been as high as 1750. three or four days of flushing are typically required to drop levels back to acceptable maximums. anyway, sofie is excited to be driving back to jackson today. she will be back this friday for another round of methotrexate which will lead fairly quickly to her surgery.

now, regarding the surgery: it is typically about a ten hour procedure. the doctor actually advised me to work that day. they also advise those planning to be on site to plan for time off site. it's emotionally grueling, and even as i write i am reticent to do so. regardless, we are excited for that nasty interloper to be out of our sweet girl's body!

sofie said yesterday, "i will proud of my scar!" that's our girl.

--geoff

latest nickname

knee replacement is a major part of sofie's surgery, so she has graciously adopted the nickname "newnee newnee."

--geoff

surgery date moved up!

so, guess what. sofie's surgery date has been moved up by over 2 weeks! if you're unsure, this is GOOD news to us. sofie's oncologist consulted with the surgeon and indicated she is responding more than adequately to chemo, recovers fairly readily, and so could proceed with the surgery sooner than later. so, on dec 11 she will be very uncomfortable, and in pretty severe pain for the first 3 days or so thereafter.

the last few days have been pretty traumatic: processing the news about surgical options was rough, and other significant events have really stretched us to our emotional limits...and beyond, frankly. sofie had a pretty rough night last; i simply can't quote one of the most wrenching questions she asked. and nearly as racking as the ultimate question is her grief over dance.

ugh, blogpost just failed to save over an hour of work. i haven't the energy to try and recapture it all, so suffice to say we met someone today who just got out of his 3 month cast from the same condition and surgery. it was miraculous to behold. and by miraculous i don't mean devoid of visible restructuring, re-shaping, etc. but i do mean that for how early the stage of healing, the leg appeared stable, ambulatory, highly functional, and well within limits of "normal" appearance. for a woman perhaps the concern will be deeper from a cosmetic viewpoint, but i am ecstatic and am very comfortable with saying sofie's leg will be beautiful.

on a lighter note: she ate good portions of solids today!

--geoff