Pirate Island & Arrrrrrcade!

Brooklyn, Porter, Kimaree, Angelie, & Sherri (Angelie's mom) went to Pirate Island last night. The atmosphere was fun, and Brookie loved it. There was also an "Arrrrcade" where they played a few games. They taught Brooklyn to bend her pointer finger to make a hook, just like a real pirate.

(Notice Brooklyn is still sporting the super hero cape with a new addition of princess shoes!)

One Happy Pirate!

Can you tell how good Brooklyn seems to be feeling? Derek has mentioned to my mom that they have started talking with the doctors about the chemotherapy plan. It is so hard to swallow all this cancer talk when you see how "healthy" and happy Brooklyn is. Derek told my mom that he really is not looking forward to any of the chemo, because he (like the rest of us) is worried that the chemo is what will take her back to feeling crumby again.

The tentative plan for this weekend is that the "Larry Walker" clan will be getting together on Sunday for conference. I will get more details of the chemo plans then. I will be sure to take pictures and interrogate Derek & Angelie for any more or new information.

Derek has applied for a few internships and there is one in particular that seems like it could be such a great fit for their family. We are all waiting to hear back on that! He has had a really hard time finding very many opportunities in this economy! We are all so proud of Derek for pushing through with school this semester even though it has meant not seeing his family during the week. If all goes as planned, he should graduate next December. We have not only been praying hard for Brookie, but also for Derek to be blessed during this crazy time of life.

And then there is Angelie. She is always so positive and such a good mom to Brooklyn and Porter. I don't know many girls her age who have faced these kinds of trials! She is an example to all of us. Sometimes when I get to worrying about Brooklyn, Angelie will make a comment that just sets me at ease. I always think...." Shouldn't we be the ones that are offering her comforting words?"

I feel blessed to have Derek & Angelie in my family! They are pretty awesome!

Last Week: Derek's Spring Break

Thumbs Up!!

Well so far Brooklyn is having a "thumbs-up" radiation experience. She is doing so well.

Last week was Derek's Spring Break, so he got to spend it with his family and help take Brooklyn to treatments. They finished out their week in Island Park on a family snowmobiling trip with some of Angelie's family. Angelie also celebrated her birthday while in Island Park (complete with Cocoa Bean cupcakes!!) We met up with Derek & family on Friday as they were heading up to IP. We went to dinner at Gringo's. Brooklyn was such a happy girl! She seems to be doing so well! (Sicily on the other hand was quite the handful at dinner. I ended up with an entire pitcher of ice water on my lap!)

Here is an excerpt from an email Kimaree sent me last Monday:

"Today we went to Cabelas in Lehi to watch them feed the fish. The fish were huge! At first they would just give them large pellets, which was cool and all, but then they threw in some live goldfish and they fought to get them! It was intense. There was even a kid who screamed and cried because they ate the friendly goldfish. Brookie loved it though. Also we went through the "game room" to look at the animals, and our last stop was at the general store upstairs to eat fudge which she loved. She seriously is a girl because she will never turn down chocolate. In the pictures you can see Brookie is wearing a pink thing. That's her "cape" from Megamind (which is a movie that just came out). She NEVER takes it off. It's pretty cute. One week she is a princess, the next she is a superhero."

This is Brooklyn's third week of radiation. What a beautiful little girl! She still has a sparkle in her eyes.... something that was not present last year during radiation treatments. We really are blessed. Thank you all for your continued prayers. Brooklyn is doing so well.

Here is recent picture of Sicily doing her 2 favorite things: playing in the salon and reading books. She loves to climb up to the sink and pretend to wash all of her toys. We'll be in trouble when she discovers how to turn on the water. It really frustrates her to have my clients receive a shampoo in "her" chair!

I should not have waited so long to post about Brooklyn's treatments! She is just finishing week 1 of treatment. Originally last week was supposed to be the first week, but the radiologist felt too rushed with President's Day so he pushed it back 1 week. He just felt like they wanted plenty of time to get the machine set up properly before administering radiation.

Mark, Sicily, & I traveled down to Provo yesterday to see Brooklyn, Angelie & Porter,
(Also to see Cody & Kimaree). We also went to the BYU basketball game. It was a quick 1 day trip but we sure had lots of fun.


Brooklyn calls her PICC line her bracelet. She is holding it out for me to take a picture. The blue piece hanging out of the "bracelet" is a cap that they remove and then insert the needle. This prevents having to start an IV every day for Brooklyn's sedation. Derek told me they are not supposed to get her line wet, making bath time quite tricky. Here she is enjoying some ice cream! We hope she keeps up her good appetite.

You can tell by the pictures that Brooklyn still looks quite healthy. We hope that is how the next 4 weeks will be for her. These pictures are after 3 days worth of treatments. Angelie tells me that after day 1 last time she was throwing up and had lost all appetite. So it is just great to have her smiling and wanting to eat, no nausea yet, and she was super excited to play with Sicily! These are all blessings and we hope she can continue feeling as good as possible.

Doesn't Porter look just like Derek minus the eye color? He is growing so fast! He is a very pleasant baby. He smiles so big that it looks like it should hurt! He is so very cute. Hopefully Brooklyn's treatments will not wear on him too much. So far he is a trooper!

Sicily had the cutest bow in her hair yesterday. She left in in the whole ride down to Provo. Right as we got into town she pulled everything out. What will I do about this? It makes pictures of her seem "boyish" but still cute! She really seems to know Brooklyn now, and recognizes her as a fun friend. I was worried that she would be too rough with Brooklyn, but so far Brooklyn seems up for playing and having a good time. Sicily loves to copy anything Brooklyn does. They are good playmates. Also something silly about Sicily: she constantly holds her tongue out when she is concentrating. You can see in the picture that she has a big red mark below her lip because of it. I'm sure she'll grow up and ask me why I let her run around looking like a wild child. My answer?......... SHE IS A WILD CHILD! and we love her still the same!

Angelie and her mom kept all the kiddos while we met up with Kimaree and Cody for the game.

WE GOT JIMMERED!

Not such a great game, BYU lost, and with all of the Brandon Davies drama.... but the crowd was still so energized! We had such a good time! Good luck to BYU on Saturday, their last home game.

Mark and I both bought white BYU shirts. Kimaree & Cody said it was supposed to be a "white-out" in the student section, so we were glad to have an excuse to buy some shirts from the Bookstore. We even got one for Sicily! It is so cute and tiny!
Mine isn't quite so tiny, but I thought wearing a tight white shirt with a BIG pregnant belly would for sure get me on TV, and I did NOT want to be on TV looking like that! I can only imagine what commentary they would make as they zoom in on me in the student section, "and now take a look at what the average BYU female looks like her Senior year."

Next week Derek has Spring Break, so he will spend it in Provo with his family. Hopefully they will have some fun times between treatments! Angelie's birthday is on March 12th. I hope they can go on a date or something!

Keep checking back, Kimaree said she will email pictures over the next few weeks and I can post them to keep everyone updated. We sure appreciate all the love and prayers. Blessings are pouring in!

Brooklyn's Treatment Plan

Well we have more to update tonight. Derek and Angelie called the radiologist this morning (Wednesday) and told him that they had decided to go ahead with radiation treatment. They feel good about this decision and want to get going. The radiologist was extremely happy with this decision, he was hoping that they would start treatments with Brooklyn and he feels like she is a good candidate. They are going down tomorrow to get her "permanent" IV put in. (I'm told the correct terminology for this is PICC. My dad had one on his chest, last time Brooklyn's was on her arm.) She had this last time also because she has to be sedated every time she gets a radiation treatment. On Friday they will be getting the mold "mask" made. The mask fits her head perfectly and keeps her in the right place while radiation is administered. Her first radiation treatment will be Tuesday. Angelie will find out on Friday how many days a week Brooklyn will receive radiation, and more of the details. Last time Brooklyn and Angelie stayed with Angelie's Grandma in Provo to be closer to treatments and they went home on the weekends to be with Derek. We will see if that is the plan this time also.

(The picture is just an example of what a radiation mask looks like. They actually bolt the mask to the table and Brooklyn will have 2 little tattoos put on the back of her head so that once she is in place they can line up the machine perfectly. No guessing games here.)

Later this afternoon Angelie talked to the oncologist. The oncologist was also very pleased that they had chosen to carry on with treatments. The oncologist feels like Brooklyn may even have a better than 1 in 4 chance of success. She didn't say how much better, but better is better in our world! She wants to give Brooklyn about a 4-5 week break after her radiation treatments, and then do a round of chemotherapy. She (the oncologist) didn't want to map out the exact plan for chemotherapy just yet, but rather wait until closer to time. Both radiologist and oncologist seem to be tackling this head on and both seem very optimistic about the results aggressive treatment will produce.

We greatly appreciate all the comments and support in our behalf. The special fast on Sunday will be a perfect prelude for Brooklyn's treatments, and we can see little miracles happening already. Everyones spirits seem to have been lifted today after such positive feedback from the doctors. I will post any new information Angelie might get this weekend.

Love,

The Walker Family

As promised: Brooklyn Update

"Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks." -Elder Busche

First off, how is Brooklyn doing post surgery? GREAT! It is amazing how going in to a surgery healthy makes a world of difference. She is generally back to her "normal" life playing and being a sweet little girl! And I want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who sent Brooklyn Valentine's. Derek said she was absolutely thrilled to be receiving mail, (and quite honestly it may have possibly meant more to Derek than Brooklyn).

Yesterday (Valentine's Day) Derek, Angelie, and Brooklyn had their 1st follow up visit with the Radiologist. The Radiologist has answered a lot of questions that we all were having about this 2nd go around of things. One question we had was if this tumor was the same type of cancer tumor that Brooklyn had the first time. The answer is yes, this is the same type. This means Brooklyn is dealing with a very aggressive type of cancer to have it come back in only 4 months. Another bit of information they learned was that the surgeon was extremely hesitant to even perform this surgery a 2nd time.

As I mentioned in the last post, we originally were told that there were 2 tumors, but when in surgery it was discovered that it was actually 1 tumor. We were also told that this last tumor was outside the area where Brooklyn received radiation last time. The brain can only receive so much radiation in one area before negative side effects kick in. Brooklyn received the maximum dose of radiation last year. This is significant because when her radiologist compared MRI's it was discovered that a portion of this last tumor is actually in the same area as her previous tumor. This means that even with Brooklyn's first surgery and maximum dose of radiation, the cancer was back only 1 year later.

So, the radiologist gave Derek and Angelie 2 options which I will explain:

Option 1: Do Nothing

They can choose to do no further treatments at this time. We can hope that this last surgery got 100% of the cancer and that Brooklyn will live a great and normal life. The chances of that being the case are slim to none considering how aggressive the cancer is. More likely the cancer will return in about a year and at that point Brooklyn's doctors would only be able to treat her symptoms keeping her as comfortable and happy as possible until she eventually would pass away.

Option 2: Do a shortened round of radiation treatments

They would give Brooklyn about 20 more radiation treatments. This is a shortened amount compared to last time. This reduced treatment is due to the negative side effects that more radiation in this same general area would produce. The most likely side effects Brooklyn would experience is weakening of the right side of the body, with an extremely probable outcome of paralysis of the right side of her body. When this type of cancer returns a second time after a child has already received surgery and radiation treatment, the odds are 1 in 4. So the chances of this radiation treatment working to cure Brooklyn is not real great. There is a better chance of the cancer returning again despite the treatment, and there would be nothing left to try. Neither surgery nor radiation treatments would be an option for Brookie.

The radiologist sent Derek and Angelie home to think, discuss, and make some tough decisions.

I can't even imagine what it must have been like for Derek and Angelie to sit through an appointment like that... where the doctor is giving you options both with slim chances of a happy ending. As you can imagine the last 24 hours has been rather emotional for the Walker family. I have talked to Derek quite extensively since the appointment. I asked him which route they are leaning toward. He said they of course want to at least try the radiation even though it makes Brooklyn so sick and the paralysis effects more radiation would cause. Derek and Angelie are of course hoping that Brooklyn would be the 1 in the 4 that would result in success of more treatment.

The reason this is all such a HUGE shock for all of us is that Brooklyn is probably the healthiest and most active we have seen her in the last 2 years (and she is only 3 years old). It is hard to believe that the radiologist is not that optimistic about the outcome considering she is doing so great!

I hope I have written this update in a way to convey that the Walkers have not just given up all hope. In reality we are relying on our faith and testimonies that the Lord is in control. We are also trying to be realistic with the information given to us.

I asked Derek to tell me what his family needs. The first thing that came to his mind was a special fast. We will be having a fast for anyone who wants to join us on this coming Sunday. This should be a fast not only for Brooklyn and the miracle she so desperately could use, but also for Derek and Angelie to be strengthened at this most difficult time. I will continue to make blog updates as things progress; and I think that over the next several months there will be other "physical" needs that will arise. I will pass those along as I keep everyone updated.

I'm sure it goes without saying that keeping the Derek Walker Family in your every day prays would be so much appreciated. I would also encourage you that if you feel inclined over the next several months to send Derek's family an email or a facebook message, a note in the mail, a phone call, whatever.... do it! Little things like that made all the difference to us when our Dad was so sick.

I started out this post with a quote from Elder Busche. This is from the movie clip posted below. It has really helped me over the last 2 days.

Thanks again for all of your support and love.

Elder F Enzio Busche of The Church of Jesus Christ

Brooklyn at Primary Children's

Brooklyn smiles for Sicily on Sunday. Her surgery was Friday at noon. She is recovering pretty well but has been wanting to go home for several days. Derek thinks they might be released today (Tuesday).

Prior to our visit on Sunday, Brooklyn has been grumpy/tired/upset at being hospitalized. She definitely knows what is going on a little better this time than last time. Angelie said she has pulled out all IVs except the one in her foot. This made the wagon ride interesting as Sicily has no regard for a hurt IV foot!

As documented in the pictures, Sicily absolutely will not leave her hair alone, that is the reason for the wild hair in the movie clip. Sicily had enough of people telling her to be careful with Brooklyn; so she decides to get out and pull. Sicily was happy with this arrangement... and so was Brooke! Brooklyn seemed more bruised on the face this time than I remember last time. (From laying face down during surgery). They must have restrained her a little tighter? We still have not heard back on pathology... so no word yet if this means more radiation or chemotherapy. Her surgeon was able to get the entire tumor. Originally it was thought that there were 2 tumors, but when they got in there they realised it was just one hooked together. The follow up MRI did show that the entire tumor was removed. I left with Mark on Sunday night, but my mom is still in Logan with Porter. Angelie is concerned that Brooklyn will be quite needy when they come home, so maybe mom will stay on an extra day to help get her settled with 2 kids to take care of.

Just a little background: Brooke's previous scan was in September and nothing was found, so this tumor grew to detection in only 4 months. That is pretty quick. As of Sunday we did not have an answer as to how big the tumor was when they took it out. I have heard Angelie mention that maybe it would be good to do a round of chemo just to make sure they kill any lingering undetectable cells so Brooke can be through with all of this. Time will tell.


The Walker family has high spirits and when I stayed at Derek's for the weekend there was just an overall good feeling in his home. We know that they are being watched over and the Spirit is present there. I can't think of a better atmosphere for Brookie to recover in.

Wouldn't it be cool if Brooklyn received TONS of Valentines in the mail from everyone who is rooting for her?
Brooklyn Walker
1736 S. 1150 W.
Logan, UT 84321

I will try to keep everyone updated as things progress and as I get more information.