Update: March 12th, 2009

I wanted to write a mini update for all of those people near and far who have been following Taylor's story. We are sorry to have been so...quiet...these past few months, but in this case, no news is good news!

Taylor is doing very well. Aside from a couple of early trips to the ICU from infections and viruses, Taylor has been home and happy since November! People often ask if she is "in remission," but that is not a term the medical world will use until she is free of cancer for 5 years. Right now she is considered to be "out of treatment."  She will have a scan (MRI of her head and Xrays of her chest) on April 7th to determine whether or not all of the cancerous cells of the tumor have responded to her treatment.  There is a mass of scar tissue in her throat at the site of the tumor, and the Drs. believe this to be just that: scar tissue. The scan will confirm this. She will continue to have these scans every 3 months for the next 2 years. If at any time they find signs of cancerous cells, they would restart treatment with different medicines to ensure the cells don't survive.  

Taylor started going back to Kindergarten for several hours each day at Mayfield in January. She is really enjoying being out and about and back at school. The community at MJS has been so wonderful this past year the the school administration has worked with Keith and Kristin with open arms and hearts. 

At the end of February, the whole family traveled to Florida for Taylor's Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World. From the sounds of it, the Make-A-Wish foundation really does a fantastic job for the families and children involved.  Kristin is planning on getting me the pictures so that I can post them soon. 

Additionally, Keith will be writing a real update, correcting any misinformation I have undoubtedly provided you here today.  Hopefully this will happen before mid-May when the Thorell's will welcome the new baby boy to their family...

In case I haven't said it enough, which I truly don't think is possible, thank you again to everyone who provided amazing support for the family over the past year+... the outpouring of prayers, thoughts, wishes and MEALS was amazing and touching. Thank you thank you.