Timothy was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Thursday, June 8th. The next day, Friday, June 9th, doctors operated on Timothy and removed the tumor from the lower, back protion on his head. It was about the size of a quarter. The doctors believe that they were able to remove all of the tumor.
Timothy came out of the operation very well. He was talking and sipping water not long after he came to. By Sunday, June 11th, he was even watching a little TV. Tim, you're a strong guy! (C.L.)
Monday, June 12, 2000
Day 5 in the hospital. Timothy had some tests done, today. The doctors will search his body for signs of any tumors growing anywhere else. The results from one test came back already. It was negative, no sign of any tumors. More results will be coming soon. And, more tests will be done. When all the tests have been completed and all of the results are in, Tim's family will decide on his treatment plan. More treatment is required. (C.L.)
Tuesday, June 13, 2000
Day 6 in the hospital. Timohty has been moved out of Intensive Care and into a regular room. He had more tests done today, a bone marrow test and spinal tap test. With the results that they have gotten back from yesterday's tests, none of them show signs of any tumors. That is wonerful news! (C.L.)
Wednesday, June 14, 2000
Day 7 in the hospital. Timothy's official CT scan results came back today, no growths found. So, his CT scan, the bone scan, and the MRI have all come back clean. The results that they are still waiting to receive are from the bone marrow test and the spinal tap test. The other good news is that Tim is getting his appetite back, taking little walks, and smiling more! I can visualize that "Timothy smile." *Hopefully* Timothy will be allowed to come home in a few days, before he has to start treatment in the hospital next week. Tim has loved all the cards and get well wishes he has received. He especially loved the 19 cards he received from his classmates and the poster he received from many school friends and school staff members. The family appreciates all of the prayers and the concern shown by everyone. (C.L.)
Thursday, June 15, 2000
Day 8 in the hospital. All of the test results have come in, now. None of the tests show any tumors in Timothy's body! That is wonderful news. Tim's body is "adjusting" to eating solid food, again. Hopefully, he will be able to keep some food in him and use it to grow stronger. Monday, Tim is scheduled for some preparatory work that will make upcoming treatment easier. After that work on Monday, the doctors will consider letting Tim come home for a little while. It will be just a week or two at home, though, because Timothy will have to go back into the hospital for some more medical procedures. (C.L.)
Friday, June 16, 2000
Message from Timothy's family: Thank you to all that have helped so tremendously with Trenton, food, watering and even taking care of Diedra! We absolutely feel your love and prayers and our Lord is sustaining us!
Day 9 in the hospital. Timothy is doing much better. He's got that great disposition back, now that the pain from surgery and tests has lessened. It is nice that he is playing and walking around. Tim still doesn't have that eating thing down yet, though. He just can't seem to hold it down when some of his medication is wearing off. But, other than that, he is getting stronger with each day. Yeah, Tim! Today was Tim's school's last day of class. Tim missed the party, and the partiers missed Tim. :-[ (C.L.)
Sunday, June 18, 2000
Day 11 in the hospital. As of 6 PM, Timothy has held down his food all day long. This may be the day that things change. Timothy has also been without an I.V., all day long. It wasn't suppose to be that way, but they had a hard time getting a new I.V. in him yesterday, so they decided to let him go without one for a while. It is nice that Timothy doesn't have to drag his I.V. on a pole wherever he goes.
Tomorrow, Timothy will have some preparatoy work done. The doctors will place a central line, or small tube, into a vein, surgically. This line is where they will put special medicine when Tim starts treatments in a week or two. His sugery is schedule for the afternoon.
Late update. Timothy vomited at 11 PM. (C.L.)
Monday, June 19, 2000
Day 12 in the hospital. Timothy had a hard morning. He was vomiting a lot. At one point, there were thoughts of posponing the surgery scheduled to put in the central line. Things did fall into place and Timothy had surgery at 2:30 PM. The 1 1/2 hour surgery went just fine. It still is possible that Timothy will come home tomorrow. I don't know how likely it is. When he does come home, it will be for a week or two, until he starts chemical treatments.
Timothy's nausea is being triggered by swelling in the brain. Doctors say it can go on for weeks. Perhaps the key is to get anti-nausea medicine to Timothy before the last round wears off. Timothy's family is going to try requesting the medicine instead of waiting for nurses to bring it. (C.L.)
Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Day 13 in the hospital. Timothy did eat some food today. As of 3:30 PM, he was still holding it down. One doctor thinks that Tim's vomiting is being caused by his fear of his health situation. Tim is now aware that his tumor was cancerous, and that chemo and radiation is required to completely rid his body of this cancer. Whatever the reason for the vomiting, all would like to see Tim be able to go home very soon. Hopefully, that day will be tomorrow. (C.L.)