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, May 30, 2008

Lauren called me at work today to tell me she did a big poop. She said she was afraid it wouldn't flush down the toilet. That's my daughter! I told her I was very proud of her. Also it was nice that she actually talk to me on the phone. This is a good sign that she is feeling well. She will not talk on the phone when she is not feeling well, and she hasn't wanted to talk to me on the phone in weeks. Hilary said Lauren's stomach is soft again and has gone down a lot. Also last night was the first time in a week that she slept thru the entire night. Which was a relief to hear.

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