Message to the Friends of Madelyn

(Some of the information we provided about today is duplicated here. This is the content of an email we sent to friends and family. If you did not receive the email, I apologize.)

Today we had the final pre-op labs and her bone scan. We won't find out the results of the bone scan until the morning, which is when she goes to surgery. It has been moved up to 7:30 AM on Thursday 12/21/2006. Right now here's the plan.

Depending on the results of the scan, if there is nothing seen in the bones then the tumor resection will probably be less aggressive than if the bones are involved. If the bones are involved, then the resection will probably be a little more aggressive, but not to the point where her life would be put at significant risk. The exact plan for resection cannot be finalized until they can visualize the tumor in her chest. We must determine the involvement with surrounding tissue such as other organs, blood supply, etc. So, let's assume the best...

If there is no bone involvement, then the resection of the tumor will most likely be less aggressive. The tumor in the chest cavity is the primary tumor (where this all began). Depending upon the results of the biopsy, the treatment may range from a wait and see to beginning chemotherapy in the near future.

Tomorrow, when Madelyn comes out of the OR she will be moved to pediatric recovery. When she is through there she will most likely move to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). She will be listed in the directory at Palmetto Richland, so when she is assigned a room you may try to reach us there if you can't get us by cell (poor coverage in the hospital). She will most likely be hospitalized until Christmas Day at least.

Kaitlyn is here with us as well. She is hanging tough. Her love for her baby sister is very evident and please keep her in your prayers as well. She's growing into a beautiful young woman and we wish that she did not have to be exposed to this part of life yet, but the situation is what it is.

This is our prayer tonight...
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Dear Lord,

Thank You for being with us in this, our time of need. We pray that Your will is that this child shall come through this critical procedure well and closer to a full recovery. We pray that You be with us all tomorrow. Lord, we pray You will be with Madelyn every step. We pray for our physicians, that they possess their full capacities in mind and dexterity in their hands. May You bless everyone working to see this child through this terrible disease be equally blessed.

Lord, please be with our family and friends. May You keep everyone's thoughts positive and please, make Yourself evident to those who don't know You. Your presence has been so apparent to us since learning of Madelyn's illness. The movement that has begun in support of Madelyn and our entire family is of such magnitude, no one can deny Your work. Tonight, hundreds if not thousands of people including countless people we have never met are praying in Your name for Madelyn to be rid of this disease. Their support is the simplest and most powerful love we can know. They expect nothing in return for their prayers, time, or money and give to us because they love us. They love us as You told them they should.

Lord, our spirits are lifted and our faith is strong and this is all because of You. In times like these it is easy to lose sight that others have needs and may be going through trials of their own. Lord, please be with them as You have been with us.

In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
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Tomorrow, your faces and kind words of support and prayer will sustain us through the endless waiting.

May God be with you all,

The Bell Family

PS - We did this blog in a kind of catch up mode, entering a lot of information in the last day or so but we kept the post times accurate to the timeline. From here forward, we will try to post timely information, so please use this as your primary source of information on Madelyn's status. Feel free to post comments for our entries. Madelyn looks forward to hearing from you.