Are you there God? It's me, Aunt Beth.

THANK YOU!

Chase and friends were hanging out in the ICU waiting room early this afternoon, cooling off after a short stroll outside, when the nurse came to nab the family and take us back to his room. The good news - he's released to go home. The better news came when Dr. Ewend came to tell us about his diagnosis - germinoma. From the info we've gotten, if he has to have a brain tumor, this is the one he'd want. It's very responsive to radiation and treatment has a very high sucess rate.

Judith was so thrilled, she asked Dr Ewend for a hug. She got her hug, but I had to give up my extra special all the way from Siler City Johnson's cheeseburger for it. :: sigh :: The sacrifices we suffer for family...

We won't know his treatment plan for a up to a week, but Chase will likely have to deal with radiation and/or chemo for the next couple months, and he'll be dealing with Chapel Hill withdrawal; missing school, missing friends. He'll be in Greensboro for now, but that may change too. I fully expect him to be the stereotypical grumpy teenager and milk this for all it's worth (how long before he wears Dad down for an HDTV?) Even though he won't be going back to school until at least January, I hope he'll have enough friends around keeping him out from under foot until he's back to the "real world".

Thanks to all who've visited, called, prayed, and kept us in your thoughts; brought good food, junk food, and mindless entertainment. It's been much appreciated! Hugs and kisses to those invisible volunteers who've dealt with the paperwork, the fridge, the dog, the lawn, and the kid who didn't quite know what to do about all this (did any of us?) Thanks, too, to the nurses who made Chase's stay in ICU a bit less unbearable, although I don't think he ever collected on that promised sponge bath. Judging by the lack of patient activity, I'll bet you don't often get hit on by patients in the Neuro ICU...

We'll keep updating as news arises - hopefully all cheery updates!