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, October 24, 2008

Lauren is tired. She has a slight temperature and was complaining about pain from her port this morning. She is at the day hospital waiting for the results of her blood test. If it's anything like the first cycle, her counts should start going up tomorrow, but it seems to me that the chemo is affecting her a little later this round than the last time. Not sure yet if she'll need more blood or platelets.

Mold:
The mold guy, from Alliance Environmental Group came out this morning to give me an estimate. I feel much better with this company since I was referred to them by a friend of mine who knows the owner of the company. So far he is recommending that the carpet in both bath and master bedroom be removed, part of the floor and dry wall needs to be replaced, the walls need to be scrubbed, all the clothes in the master-bedroom closet need to be washed, a/c ducts need to be cleaned, all furniture in the master bedroom needs to be wiped down and taken out, all carpet in the house needs to be professionally cleaned and air-scrubbers will be used in both the master-bedroom and loft area outside the bedroom. I'll get their estimate on Monday. It looks like I'll be busy this weekend cleaning, scrubbing, and moving furniture.

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