The Nihei's: Our Story

On April 1, 2008, our 4-year-old daughter, Lauren, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After her biopsy on April 8th it was determined that she had a bithalamic anaplastic astrocytoma with extension into her brain stem.

In the beginning of March we noticed a personality change in Lauren who normally is a very outgoing and happy-go-lucky kid. She became very clingy and shy. She didn't want to talk on the phone anymore, or play on the slide with the other kids at pre-school. By mid-March, Lauren started complaining about headaches. Her pediatrician thought it might be a sinus infection or that she may need glasses. He put her on antibiotics and we made an eye appointment.

A few days later when she started holding her head funny and her headaches returned we insisted on a CT scan. That's when her pediatrician sent us to the ER at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) for a CT scan, and when our world was turned upside down and our nightmare began...

Story continues at bottom of page

Friday, February 27, 2009

Lauren continues to do well (knock on wood). She handled the chemo like a champ. She didn't get, or feel sick and had no problem going to preschool in the morning. She also rode her bike around our entire block last night, which includes a steep incline. I should get her into long-distance running, or biking. Of course, she'll probably be disqualified since she'll test positive for steroids. Her hair continues to grow back fast, except now I see some hair on her back!! Not sure what that is about. I suspect it's due to the steroids.

We are looking forward to a fun weekend. I have a friend who works for the LA Clippers. He is getting us into their game on Saturday at the Staples Center. It'll be interesting to see what the girls' reaction is to the game and the cheering and stuff. Except the only basketball player they know is Kobe Bryant. I have no idea how that happened since I'm a Kobe hater. Oh well. My friend was telling me he might try and introduce Lauren to some of the players or Clipper Girls. Personally I am hoping to meet the Clipper Girls, since my girls will be able to relate better to them than the basketball players, of course.

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