Aidan’s Angels,

Just wanted to give you all a little background, a current update, and then request your help...

Aidan’s last MRI in early April showed “no significant changes”.  While we were pleased, there was some concern because there apparently were some changes, but the Doctors believed them to be insignificant.  Our concerns lead to some probing questions of the Doctors and we were assured that any changes from the prior scan could be attributed to methodology or the likelihood that the same exact slices were not being compared and therefore they were comparing apples to oranges. Well, we returned home armed with this evaluation and everything proceeded wonderfully.

About two weeks ago the whole family ended up getting a very bad cold that seemed to persist with all of us.  Unfortunately, Aidan was not spared and he seemed to get it every bit as bad as anyone else except for maybe his Nanni.  After a couple of days Aidan starting showing some inconsistent but subtle symptoms that could be either the cold or possibly even tumor related.  Considering the previous MRI, we of course were fearful of the worst.

Aidan would occasionally complain of seeing double (this had happened with other previous colds), but the double vision always is short lived and only happens a few times a day.  Aidan occasionally would complain of difficulties swallowing.  Well, yes this is a tumor symptom, but Aidan and

most of us also had a sore throat as a part of this cold.  Most of the time Aidan spoke it sounded somewhat slurred and sounded as if his voice was being blocked by an accumulation of mucus in his throat.  Yes, slurring could be a tumor symptom, but we all were very very congested also.  And finally, Aidan seemed to have occasional balance issues.  Yes, he was diagnosed with a double ear infection as a part of this cold and inner ear infections can lead to balance issues, but balance issues could also be attributed to the tumor.

You can now see the dilemma we were presented with.  Everything Aidan was experiencing could indeed be because of the cold, but everything also could be early signs of tumor progression.  We tried to wait it out and treated Aidan with his Asthma steroids for the congestion in his lungs, antibiotics for the ear infections, and over the counter medications for congestion in general.  Aidan for the most part of the last two weeks seemed to be getting better.  The improvement was slow, but it was slow for the rest of us also.  On Sunday Aidan seemed to take a step backwards.  Admittedly it was a very small step backwards, but enough to scare the you know what out of us.  On Monday and Tuesday he improved again, but on Wednesday he tired himself tremendously and ended up having the whole host of symptoms that could be either from the cold or possibly the tumor.

After the backwards step on Sunday Tanya & Mike decided that they would request that Aidan’s next MRI be moved up simply so that tumor progression could be eliminated.  The Doctors agreed, but made it very clear they believe the symptoms were cold related and they would be giving the MRI for the benefit of the family and it was not being performed for Aidan.  It just so happened there was a MRI cancelation for this coming Friday so Tanya and Mike agreed to take it.

Well as you might guess, Aidan awoke this morning much improved and except for one small moment of double vision, Aidan’s symptoms seemed to be gone once again.  Considering that tumor symptoms are not likely to be fleeting and would be much more consistent than what Aidan is experiencing, it appears the Doctors are likely to be correct after all.  Considering that this whole episode has been wearing on us all, we will be proceeding with the MRI tomorrow so that we can have assurance and a little peace.

Now what does this have to do with all of you?  Well all of you have brought Aidan to this point by your petitioning of our God on his behalf.  The miracles we have received to date are directly attributable to your prayers, and we are asking that you double your efforts and ask that Aidan is once again blessed with goods news from his MRI tomorrow morning.  Aidan is scheduled for 08:30 am PST, so if at all possible focus your prayers to our Lord sometime before then.  Please give thanks for all the miracles we have already received, and ask our Lord to allow the Miracle that is Aidan to continue for many, many, many, more years to come.

Thanks for everything you have already done for Aidan and his Family, and thanks in advance for the doubling of your prayers for tomorrow.

Aidan's Family