(Email update to family on Mar 24, recorded here on Mar 28)

Amber continues to stay stable, which was our goal. She also had a feeding tube put in.

We met with Doctor Paul today. He reminds of Santa by not just looks but in his gentle kind demeanor. He explained a bit further of Amber’s surgery. He said that the tumor was removed in the right Temporal lobe. He said that having this tumor on the right side is the “better” of the sides to have it on. The left side is where most of the functions happen where on the right side is for memory…and thankfully the bleeding did not seep into the memory area. When they went in to get the tumor and extract it, it left a golf ball sized pocket which after reviewing the CT scan, has shrunk back down to about the size of a fingernail.

I asked Dr. Paul’s opinion on why. He said it’s not what she ate, or where she lives or anything like that. It’s just one of those unfortunate situation where some of the cells get out of whack and have a mind of their own.

And tomorrow, if everything continues looking good, they will slowly begin reducing the sedation to see if Amber reacts to things. This is a big step, will begin telling us a bit about how her recovery will be, along with the MRI and biopsy results on Monday.

Also, big day because Amber got to have a visit from her siblings and grandparents! The kids did well with seeing her for the first time, each reacting in their own way. They did some art projects here too (we had Lauren from Child Services help us out), which are hanging on Amber’s walls now.

While reducing the sedation means we don’t want to overstimulate Amber, we will be open for Aunt/Uncle visits soon, and will open up to others later.

Ok, I think (hope) that’s everything for today.

(Email update to family on Mar 23, recorded here on Mar 28)

Update on Amber. Today Amber had a big day. The nurses had to unplug and battery packs as well as manually ventilate her so that we could make the trek down for a CT Scan.

The scan came out good. No more bleeding.

Dr. Martin is pleased with her vitals but wants to hold off on the MRI. He is off this weekend but one of his colleagues, Dr. Paul (who is sweet and looks like Santa), will be monitoring Amber. If her vitals remain well, he may lower the sedation, which may have Amber doing some involuntary movements.

Extra prayers for Monday as that will be a really big day. Pathology reports will hopefully come back in the afternoon so Dr. Martin can determine what we’re dealing with as well as MRI is scheduled for 2:30pm.

(Update sent to a few key coworkers and school parents by email on Mar 23, recorded to blog on Mar 28)

Yesterday morning, we brought Amber to the ER, where they discovered a tumor on her brain, which had just burst. She was immediately sent to the Children’s hospital in Hartford, where she went through several hours of surgery. She is in ICU now, where she will remain sleeping for at least the next few days as they monitor things and perform a few follow-up operations. Things are very touch and go right now, and we don’t have all the details. We won’t be very communicative during the next few days, but wanted to make sure you heard this directly from us. Our families know, but we haven’t put out any big broadcast messages (e.g., Facebook), and don’t plan to alert the wider world anytime soon, but please feel free let your families know verbally. And please keep her in your prayers.

(Email update to family day after surgery, recorded here on Mar 28)

Amber did well through the night. The nurses and doctor have her still well sedated.

All vitals look good. Swelling on the right side of her face, which is expected due to all the trauma from her skull and brain.

She is going in for an MRI at 2pm.

When we see Dr. Martin we are going to have him clarify what he did/did not do in surgery yesterday…a bit conflicting but with everything going on I guess it’s expected.

Please please please continue with prayers and good positive thoughts for Amber.

Thank you for all of your support during this devastating time, it means a lot to Matt and I.

(Email to family expecting us in Cape Cod on Friday March 23, recorded here on Mar 28)

These past 30 hours have been hell.

Amber was admitted to Backus ER yesterday morning. The doctors determined there was a mass on the right side of her brain. They put a breathing tube in and immediately sent her to CT Children’s Hospital. Upon arrival Dr. Martin, Director of Neurology, and his team, brought Amber quickly up for an operation to remove part of her skull. Dr. Martin was able to determine that she has a tumor that burst. He was able to clean up all the blood and some of the tumor was sent out to pathology. After being in the OR Amber is to remain heavily sedated and paralyzed to help with the healing. Dr. Martin is leaving the bone flap off so that the pressure and swelling of her brain can go down.

Next step is just making sure all of her vitals stay strong so that hopefully she can receive an MRI in a few days. Until then she will be getting a CT Head scan.

Please keep praying for her.

I feel like I’m in a nightmare…this is so horribly surreal…

I love you all so much and appreciate the love and support.

Please don’t get offended if you don’t hear back from me right away. This is just really devastating…

(Email to family evening Mar 22, recorded here on Mar 28)

It’s hard to stay strong, but we have to for Amber. This is so devastating….so unreal.

Amber is in the PICU (pediatric intensive care) and is stable. The doctor removed a tumor that had burst. They are leaving part of her brain exposed due to possible swelling/inflammation and possible other tests.

Next few days are crucial

Once pathology comes back he’ll have a better understanding of what the best method is for our next step.

Today’s plan is to get the bleeding out as well as swelling down.

Her vitals are good. They have her heavily sedated and paralyzed so that she doesn’t move…that way her body can heal.

(Email to family during surgery on Mar 22, recorded here on Mar 28)

I wanted to update you on Amber.

She is still in surgery and doing well. The doctor removed the clots and they sent those out to pathology.

They removed part of her skull and the doctors are making sure that there isn’t any more bleeding.

We will have to schedule another surgery for her skull.

Please wake me up from this nightmare.

Please continue with prayers…