Perspective

These are our good friends, Brian and Katie.



Brian and Katie are good people. They’ve been married for two years; they hold jobs as public school teachers; they have the most enormous Golden Retriever you’ve ever seen. They’re just Regular People.

Regular people who wear the same outfits every New Year’s Eve, it appears. (I know, I find them irresistibly charming and adorable, too.)

NEW YEAR'S EVE, 2006


NEW YEAR'S EVE, 2007


Brian and Katie have also been blessed with a charming and adorable daughter. She’s about to turn 16 months old and her name is Emily. And two weeks ago, while on vacation in another state, Brian and Katie found out that Emily had a cancerous tumor the size of a baseball growing at the base of her brain. A tumor that looked so menacing on the radiology report that when Emily’s doctor first saw it, he retreated into a back room and wept for the little girl he wasn’t certain he could help.

The situation deteriorated rapidly, and on Easter Sunday afternoon, it was determined that Emily’s tumor was bleeding into her brain and would most certainly pose a threat to her life if not treated immediately. Unfortunately, Emily had been violently ill the previous week, unable to keep food or milk down, and doctors decided to push the surgery to Monday morning to allow her an extra night to get some much needed rest and intravenous nourishment.

And then the doctors told Brian and Katie the unthinkable: that they should call their families and let them know that Emily might be too weak to survive the 12-hour surgery. If they wanted an opportunity to say goodbye, they needed to be in Savannah to see her before she was wheeled into the operating room the next morning.

Then, the miracle: Emily made it through the surgery without requiring additional medical intervention (she didn’t even require a blood transfusion) and is resting comfortably. Doctors were able to remove between 50 to 70 percent of the tumor. At the time I am writing this, pathology reports on the tumor still haven’t come back, but the oncologist who was in on the surgery is pretty confident that it will be one of three very aggressive forms of cancer. Emily might avoid more surgery, but she will most definitely face some intensive chemotherapy treatments, especially since her latest MRI shows that the cancer has spread to her spine.



Brian and Katie have decided that the best care for Emily is in Savannah, even though they call the suburbs of DC their home. Making that decision for them was not without its challenges. Brian had to take an unpaid leave of absence from his teaching job (Katie has been a stay-at-home mom to Emily since last summer). And they are looking at spending an unspecified amount of time – weeks, maybe months - in a strange city far away from friends and family and the comforts of home. But they are happy to do it if it gives Emily a better chance at being healthy and cancer-free.

The thing is, they can’t do it without going into a huge amount of debt. They’ve got a mortgage here in Virginia; they've got car payments. They’ve also had to secure an apartment in Savannah where they can live while Emily goes through chemo, and that apartment will have to be professionally cleaned and sterilized before Emily can live there. They have to buy a special hospital crib for her to sleep in. And in between all of that, they've got to eat and pay for utilities, gas, toiletries. And they’ve got no reliable income to speak of to do it all.

 

There’s going to be a donate button on this website for as long as Emily is in treatment. Please let me be clear: I am not asking you to donate if you don’t feel led to do so. But every little bit does something, every dollar gives this family an opportunity to stay together and support each other, alone in a strange city while they go through hell on earth fighting their daughter's cancer.

Those of you who read this website on a regular basis, you know I’ve never asked for anything like this before. But there is this part of me that wonders if maybe this little self-centered website is part of God’s plan for Emily; maybe He has given me the opportunity to correspond and communicate with so many people out there so that we can be part of something miraculous for this amazing little family that needs to be cared for. I can't just sit here and do nothing.

Emily needs your prayers and good wishes, too. If you would like to leave a message for her and her family, please do so in the comments section. They really need the encouragement and prayer support, even from complete and total strangers.

Thank you, everyone. Your kindness and generosity is appreciated beyond words. I will have more updates on Emily's status as we find out more.

* * * Update, 4-2-08 * * *
Emily is doing well, but has been leaking some spinal fluid from the location where her drain was located after her last surgery. She may need to have the drain replaced, and she may require a more permanent solution like a shunt. Doctors are still evaluating the situation and should know more soon, but until then, her chemo will have to be pushed back for a week or so. However, in the great news category, another brain scan done Monday morning showed that the tumor is no longer growing.

* * * Update, 4-10-08 * * *
For the latest news on Emily, please go here.

Also, for all who have asked: If you are uncomfortable  donating through Paypal or do not want to create a Paypal account, the Mandell family has set up a trust fund for Emily through Bank of America. This means that you can walk into any Bank of America location and make an anonymous donation into the account for Emily Mandell. Please don't hesitate to email with any questions or concerns! THANK YOU ALL!

Comments

[Lesley]

My thoughts and prayers are with Emily and her entire family. She will make through with all of the support she has from everyone...including all of us on here!

[Miss Wisabus]

I will definitely keep this family in my prayers.

[Lori]

Oh ... that is the absolute saddest thing ever. I will donate, and I hope every other person who reads this will, too. Thanks for letting us know. I so hope together we can make a difference and lighten their load in the slightest. My thoughts will be with them.

[Mel]

I wish I could donate more, but I know that every little bit helps!

[Kim]

Emily,
As I took a break from work today, I decided to check out one of my fave blogs (this means you!) and immediately burst into tears upon reading Brian and Katie and Emily's story. As the mom of a 15th month old son it hit so close to home and certainly is every parents worst nightmare. I have immediately begun praying for them and will be sending all the good positive warm mental thoughts that I can muster their way.
They are lucky to have you you to count on during this time Emily. I already sent through a donation and am going to pass the info along to others I think might want to share with them as well.
THank you for sharing their story and making a difference in their lives.
Kim

[Elizabeth R.]

I am a long time reader and lurker, and i have never commented before but my heart is hurting for your friends. I honestly can not imagine how scared they must be and how hard it is for them to see Emily so ill. I am praying for strength for Brian & Katie and healing for baby Emily. My thoughts are with them.

And now i am going to hug my son and say a little prayer of thanks.

[cat, galloping]

Brian and Katie, My thoughts are with you and that gorgeous daughter of yours. There are no words to express my sorrow at what you're going through.

[M]

This breaks my heart. Emily and her family are in my thoughts. I hope she comes through this and it'll soon be a distant memory. I see someone mentioned it but I immediately thought of the Ronald McDonald House charities when I read your friends are paying for an apartment. Here's a link to the GA homes - http://www.rmhc.org/search_cm/searchresult.php. My best wishes to the whole family.

[cat, galloping]

Brian and Katie, You and your gorgeous child will be in my thoughts. There are no words to adequately express my sorrow at what you're going through.

[Danielle]

Emily is so beautiful! Really! Even with that tube, she's gorgeous. She has the sweetest most loving blue eyes.

Sending prayers and strength and wishes and thoughts.

Wishing I lived in Savannah so I could offer you a place to stay and a home cooked meal.

[M]

This breaks my heart. Emily and her family are in my thoughts. I hope she comes through this and it'll soon be a distant memory. I see someone mentioned it but I immediately thought of the Ronald McDonald House charities when I read your friends are paying for an apartment. Here's a link to the GA homes - http://www.rmhc.org/search_cm/searchresult.php. My best wishes to the whole family.

[Amber]

My heart just sank when I read this. Little Emily is definitely in my thoughts and prayers. I agree with the previous posters, have them talk with the hospitals social worker and check out the Ronald McDonald House, those people are angels.

[Mandi]

God bless you, Mandell family! We're all praying for you.

[Leslie]

I will keep Emily, her parents and friends in my prayers.

[Allison]

My son will be 16 months old in April and my heart breaks for this family not because I can't imagine what they are going through but because I absolutely can.

I wish I had more to give and more than words to comfort your friends.

Please remind us of the donation option periodically.

[Ashley]

Prayers, donation, and more prayers sent. My heart is absolutely breaking for them. What a sweet little girl - please keep us updated as much as you can.

[Angela]

Oh my God. I can not imagine. My most intense prayers are definitely with little Emily and her parents.

[debby]

I've read your blog for years. Followed your through mommy-hood. Laughed with you. Applauded you when you became a Parent's offical. I applaud you now. This IS your purpose. You have been my writing inspiration for a year now. You are a human inspiration now. So is that little peanut. I have posted the link on my own blog. :) Prayers and hugs. For all.
debby
~d

[Natalee]

I am not a religious person, but what person could not be moved to tears by this precious child. I am sending "good vibes" to Emily and her family, and will definitely donate when I can (budget allowing). Though I don't pray, they are in my thoughts and heart, and I wish them all the best.

[Kyle]

Emily, thanks for giving everyone the opportunity to help out. We will be praying that little Emily will make it through this, and that whatever the outcome, that this experience will only strengthen your friends' faith and give them hope and longing for the wonderful day when there will be no more suffering, no more pain, and no more sorrow, but only glorious rejoicing forever and ever.

[Bah]

I would be honored if you'd allow me to attach the link for donations to my blog as well. Please contact me.

[Maureen]

I've posted a link, and Brian, Katie and Emily are in my prayers and thoughts every day.

[vague]

It's amazing already that Emily went through her surgery as well as she did. My thoughts go out to her and her parents with the hope that she'll continue to be so strong. Hoping my meager contribution will be helpful!

[Steph T]

Your friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.

[Holly]

I'm sending strength and prayers...