Here’s a quick rundown of medical events that have happened so far and are going to happen soon:
Penelope arrives at the ER on 2/25 and was admitted to the hospital at 430am on 2/26. She underwent a CT scan which led doctors to believe that she may have cancer in the bones of her skull.
On 2/26 doctors confirmed that she did have cancer in her skull bones and ordered an MRI and bone scan as well as urinalysis that would all help to diagnose the type of cancer.
On 2/27 it was confirmed that she had Neuroblastoma. Once the MRI results came in they stated that she had Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. The tumor started in her adrenal gland, where she still has a large mass. The tumor spread from her adrenal gland to her spine. The spinal tumor is three vertebrate tall and surrounds her spine 360 degrees. From her spine the cancer entered her blood stream and spread to the bones in her skull as well as her liver.
On 3/1 Penelope underwent a bone marrow test. They extracted bone marrow from her pelvis in two locations. Once the results came in on 3/2, we were informed that the cancer had also spread to her bone marrow.
Today, 3/3, Penelope is going to have a MIBG scan. She was injected with a radioactive isotope that keys in on Neuroblastoma cells. They injected her yesterday so that she can have the scan today. This scan will show ALL active cancer cells in her body, no matter where they are.
Tomorrow, the 4th of March, Penelope will undergo a biopsy of her tumor. They will remove a large piece of tumor from her adrenal gland that will be sent out to the lab for testing. They’ll make an incision in the front of her trunk in order to access the tumor. This will also be where they will incise her after chemo to try and remove the rest of her adrenal tumor. At this time, the adrenal tumor will be the only one that they will attempt to surgically remove, after her chemo treatment is completed. It’s impossible for them to surgically remove any of the other tumors – so chemo and possibly radiation will be the course of treatment for the others. At the same time they will be inserting tubes in her chest that will be used for chemotherapy to hopefully shrink the tumors.
The results from the biopsy will take 10 business days or so to get back. This is the nail biting part. The results of her biopsy make a huge difference in her prognosis and the severity/intensity of treatment. Her chance of survival can be as high as 95% or as low as 50%, it just depends on the cellular makeup of the tumors. One thing that all the doctors have said is that we’re fortunate she was diagnosed already – children under the age of 12 months have the best chance at beating the cancer and surviving to live a full and happy life. I definitely won’t say that we’re ‘lucky’ – in my opinion anyone sitting in a cancer ward with their 11 month old isn’t very lucky. But, considering the situation, we’re definitely fortunate that we were able to get her diagnosed at such a young age.
Thanks for everyone’s support, prayers and well wishes. I’ll keep you all updated as often as possible.
Best
Aaron
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I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. Your family will be in our thoughts. Rhea did a great job on the site.
So sorry to hear this. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
i love you all and am thinking about you! give little p kisses from “auntie”! xoxox
Bless her little heart….
Our prayers go out to all of you, if there is anything we can do for you please let us know.
Hugs,
Karen, Chris and Taylor
Hey Aaron and Carina… I love the both of you very much and I miss you guys so very much… I hope that everything works out and I am here for the both of you. I love Penelope very much and I cannot express enough that I am very sorry for what you are going through and you are all in my prayers. Please keep me informed with what is going on and please remember that I am here for whatever I can do for you. I love you all so very much….
P.S.- I still have the framed pictures of her next to my bed and I think of her and the both of you very often.
Love and miss you guys,
Mikey
All of our prayers are going out to your family.
Hello family,
I will pray from the bottom of my heart. I too have lost a loved one to cancer, but we didn’t have the resources you guys have. I will pray every day and night and ask that you guys don’t have to go through what I went through. My thoughts and best wishes are with your family.
Love,
Bryana.
Love,
Prayers are being sent out to you daily for strength, faith, support, & lots of love!
Even though I never got the chance to meet you Aaron, I know you are being a rock for your family. Thank you for being so generous in sharing your journey…I am with you in spirit every step of the way.
Love & Big Hug to Carina for me!
My prayers go out to you guys! I just saw you for SuperBowl and what a shock this is:( My deepest sincerity goes out and I hope for the best. My family will pray for you guys and Penelople will be in our hearts! Give Penelope a kiss for me and Stay strong!
Love,
Ashley (Kris’s niece)
Sending huge “Healing Hugs” for little Penelope !!
More prayers from my family as well. Thank you Rhea for letting us share our prayers & hope for your little baby cousin. Trust in God, there is always Hope and the power of love.
Hi,
I am a friend of Tara’s and I have an 8 month old baby girl. I just wanted to let you know that your family is in my prayers. I am so very sorry you have to go thru all of this. Please stay strong and my family and I will be thinking of your family.
take care
Dawn and Sean Trent
Aaron & Carina,
Thank u so much for keeping me updated. I really appreciate it since I can’t physically be with you right now. It breaks my heart as a mother to see what little Penny is having to go through at an age when she doesn’t understand it all. Stay strong together as I continue to pray for a much needed miracle. I wish I could do more than send “dollars for Penny”. I share your helplessness right now but at the same time know that God is good!!!!
xoxoxoxoxo ~Suzanne <3
I will continue to keep Penelope and the two of you in my prayers.
Carina & sweet lil sweet pea,
I am sooo sorry to hear about this, it just breaks my heart. You girls have been on my mind lately and unfortunately, I now know why. If there is anything that you need I am here. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers! Great things happen with the power of prayer. Love you guys.
Jess
We have the prayer warriors busy praying for this beautiful princess! We are here for you all, if you need anything let us know! God is mighty!
xoxo
Denise and Ray
Guys, hold tight and I know you will make it through. I and others who know you Aaron will be keeping our fingers crossed.
PLease let us know if there are any fund raisers we can support (or even throw) to help your darling girl.
Visiting from Rhea’s blog–May God bless you and your family, especially Penny, right now, with strength.
Thininking of you guys today… hope everything goes well.
Dear Family of Penelope,
I will be praying for your little one. I felt led to look up her name meaning. I’m sure you’ve read this meaning before (maybe not) but here is one meaning.
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Penelope
The name is also possibly derived from the Greek name “penelops” for a kind of duck that was said to have rescued and nurtured Penelope when she was exposed to die as an infant.
I like that the duck rescued and nurtured her…when she was exposed to die…but she didn’t.
Aaron & Family:
This is Jason’s mom letting you know that I am keeping your sweet liitle daughter in my thoughts an prayers. Please keep the faith and lean on your friends at this difficult time.
God does perform miracles and I will be praying for that for you daughter.
She is a little doll!
Sincerely, Donna Wehrenberg
My thoughts are with you, your family and especially little Penny. I pray for the best for all of you.
She’s GONNA beat this!!! Love you guys!
I am a friend of Angels. I am a nurse and know the kind of pain this causes your family. I also know of a GOD that is awesome and powerful. I have seen healings and miracles in our church that cannot be explained any other way than “its a GOD thing” I encourage you to step out in “Faith” regardless of your beliefs (not sure of them) Know and believe that GOD can and will heal your baby girl if you have the faith. He is an awesome GOD. He raised a girl from the dead once, we read in scripture and many other miracles. You have to have unfailing faith. God Bless you and your baby girl. FOR I WILL RESTORE HEALTH TO YOU AND HEAL YOU OF YOUR WOUNDS, SAYS THE LORD GOD. Jeremiah 30:17
Aaron and Carina,
My heart is with you and your family. Brian has talked about how sweet Penelope is.
Nothing is more difficult than a sick baby. Our thoughts are with you, I will have some Masses said for her and I will pray every day for her recovery.
God Bless you, stay strong
Margie and Brian Werry
We Love you guys. Will do all we can to help. Stay strong! Have faith! We’re here for you, ANYTIME, day or night. All our prayers, hugs, and kisses follow you.
Much Love,
Aunt Lynn, Uncle Tony, and Lauren
Aaron and Carina,
We are praying for you guys! Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Aaron, Carina, and Penny, I am so sorry you guys have to go through this. I will have you in my prayers daily. Please Let me know if you need anything.
Natalie
Aaron and Carina,
I just wanted to let you know that your family is in my thoughts. My hear really goes out to you. I will keep all three of you in my prayers. Stay strong for little Penny.
I just sent you a small donation. I hope it helps!
Aaron and Carina,
Be Strong, Lil Sweet Penny is going to fight as all our love, prayers and energy will be with her while she is going through this journey. Please believe in the power of faith and we are all praying for Penelope and your entire family. Love you guys. There isn’t a day that goes by that we are not thinking of Penny and her “FIGHT”. She is a tough little sweet “p” and she will fight and overcome this horrible disease. We love you all, Aunt Vickie and Uncle Woody
I have sent out the link to every one I know… My love & prayers are with you… Ryan and I are always here if you need to talk or anything… I’ve been praying all day!! And recruiting those around me… Love you more than you know!!!!
I love you three!!! I’m praying for my littlest grandbaby! I need those baby toes!! You are in my heart, and on my mind. We love you guys! We are all praying here in Lakeside! Your Mom, Jeannine; your “other” Aaron; and Grandma
Aaron, Carina and Baby Penelope…my family sends our prayers to you and we will keep you in our thoughts. Carina, I haven’t talked to you since Hayleys wedding, I am so sorry your family is going through this.
Best Wishes♥
Adrian and Stephanie Wondra and Family
Aaron you are so great! im glad i postponed work to see my niece i love my chunks!!!!
As a mother, I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re going through. I send good thoughts your way and hope that Penny is feeling no pain. Much Love…..
Carina & Aaron, like everyone else I’m praying & talking to GOD for little penelope. I am sending you the biggest hugs I can fathem from deep inside my soul. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Let me know when it might be ok to come to the hospital. I know about not having a lot of vistors because her imune system will be at it’s lowest, during & after kemo for a while. I LOVE YOU ALL, ALL THE WAY TO GOD. He is right there with you always. love Auntie Carol CJ
Dear Nancy, Rick….Carina and Aaron….
…. Jovanna, Jason & Family:
I did not know of Penelope’s illness. I am shocked and devastated. My every thought is of that sweet baby girl….
My heart and love goes out to all of you during this very trying time. I make it a point to pray with someone, as there is power where more than one heart gathers……I have done this with Teresa & family and my neighbor. We pray for all of you. Teresa sends her love and prayers.
May God bless and keep you strong….and give little Penny strength and the miracle of healing.
My heart is heavy for what you are all going through. I love you and am praying for a brighter day.
All my love to you and precious Penny.
Cousin (Auntie) Barb
P.S. I am sending a small donation by mail.
Aaron and Carina,
I used to work with Alyce at Fidelity National Title in Colleyville in 2005 and in looking up old friends, I read about Penelope through Alyce’s facebook. My heart and prayers go out to you and yours! Remember that to be there for Penelope, it is necessary to remind yourselves that there are other people and resources to help you to stay strong for your little one. . . eat at least two good meals a day, get at least 6 hours of sleep, even if it is intermittent and keep your family and friends close for when you need a good hug or a good cry and talk to your baby when possible so she knows that you are there! Even in the deepest of sleep, she knows that you are present and rallying for her. God bless you! She is blessed to have you in her life!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I just read your story and looked at the pictures and I was shaken and lost for words. You all will be in my thougts and prayers. I can see by looking at Penny’s pictures and must I say, she’s a precious odoll, and a fighter. She will get through this I know she will! She is way too young to ever have to fight like this and having loving parents by her side will only help her out when she needs it the most. God must have thought that your precious penny had big shoulders. She’ll show you both mom & dad. No matter how hard things may be, stay strong for Penny and each other. My teenage nephew had brain cancer, and I know how terribly difficult it was to watch him and see his pain. I feel for you guys. Be strong. Penny will get through this. It won’t be easy, but from reading your story you seem to be strong to begin with, so hold your head up high, and know things will be o.k.
God Bless,
Kelly
Hey Carina and Aaron, it’s Jonaira. I just want to say that we are still praying for Penny. We have people in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York praying for Penny. We have directed all of our friends and my family to this website. Keep the faith you guys and STAY ON THE NURSES AND DOCTORS. You know your baby. You know when something is not right. Aaron, you are doing the right thing being “the enforcer”…. You know that Carina “knows what she is talking about”. My family has to do the same thing with my grandmother. They would pass over her when it was bath time and she got bed sores. Even though my grandma was paralyzed and couldn’t communicate normally,she and my aunt created their own way to communicate with each other. (Jason and I witnessed and was blown away) Because she couldn’t really fend for herself, they skipped her. ( And that is just minor things). They missed her meds and on occasions gave her other patients’ meds. My aunt has to watch them like a hawk. And so do you. I love you and send all of my love and kisses to Penny. She has the blood of very strong people running through her veins. She is not going to give up and neither are we. She is a fighter just like her grandpa, uncle Jason, auntie Jovie, and her mommy.
We love you guys