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

Thursday, January 28, 2010

UPDATE

Got the results from the MRI. Not good. As suspected they think the tumor is trying to convert to a high-grade, more aggressive tumor. Dr. Dhal is recommending radiation, which is a big No No with Dr. Finlay. He is trying to get a hold of Dr. Finlay. We know some children who have gone this route and have had good results, but also had some adverse side effects. I keep telling myself, at least there are options. What a bad time for Dr. Finlay to go on vacation. They also brought up the "quality of life" stuff. Blah blah. I don't know why, but those words give me a chill down my spine and make my hands tremble.

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