Cancer Free for Three!

This is Bronwyn just hours after her brain surgery, February 24th 2006. Exactly three years ago from this moment, Todd and I were attempting to sleep in a twin bed at Primary Children's Medical Center. Earlier that day, Bronwyn had been shopping with my mom and had a seizure. My mom called 911, and Bronwyn was taken by ambulance to the ER. Minutes after calling my husband and assuring him that everything was fine, I was then informed that she would be life-flighted to SLC. I will never forget standing in the parking lot of our local hospital, and watching a medical team load our daughter into the helicopter and fly away with her. Pure agony. Todd and I then endured an extremely long drive to SLC, not knowing what we would find when we got there. We were so grateful to have our friend, Linda Duffin, be at the hospital waiting for Bronwyn.
By the time we arrived, Bronwyn's brain surgery was already scheduled for the next morning. I was truly in a daze. It didn't hit until about 2:00 am, when I woke up in a state of panic. It was very overwhelming. Todd and I set our alarm for every hour or two, and checked on Bronwyn all night. I nearly fainted the morning of her surgery when I was told that not only would her brain tumor be removed, but also the part of the brain around the tumor. I don't know why I thought they would be able to only remove the tumor.
The surgery took several hours, and we received hourly phonecalls from the operating room with updates. It was hard for me to spend much time with Bronwyn shortly after her surgery. My anxiety couldn't handle watching her vitals rise and fall. Oh, and did I mention I was 7 1/2 months pregnant with Magdalen?! Luckily, we were surrounded by family. So when I was feeling too overcome, there was always someone else who could go in and be with Bronwyn.
Now three years later, it is almost hard to believe that it really happened. It has definately been a burden on our family, and has been extremely difficult for Bronwyn at times. Despite it all, I can be nothing but thankful. Thankful for my beautiful daughter, and her amazing recovery.
After losing my dad to cancer, and having my daughter diagnosed with brain cancer several months later, I am truly committed to doing all I can to fight this disease. Two of our favorite fundraisers are St. Baldrick's and Relay for Life. Here is a link to Bronwyn's webpage on the St. Baldrick's site: http://www.stbaldricks.org/kids/kid_info.php?KidID=618
She is honored at their head-shaving event each year, and all the proceeds go towards childhood cancers. I will write more about Relay for Life later. As for now, I am 39 weeks pregnant and going to bed!