Thank you to everyone that prayed and sent us messages of support for Eloise’s surgery today.
We are exceptionally grateful for all the support and love. We really needed it today and are so incredibly appreciative.
Eloise underwent over 10 hours of intense surgery today and we have just met with the Neurosurgeon to go through the post-operative scans.
It is hard to full absorb all the information and implications from the surgery and scan but here goes:
- The Neurosurgeon (Prof Mallucci) has removed all the solid tumour (Thank you Prof Conor Mallucci and team – we will be forever grateful).
- There is a small amount of tumour boundary/”capsule” that is left on the edge of one of the main veins (~3mm at its thickest – but generally smaller).
- The Neurosurgeon says that there isn’t any solid tumour on the scans and the remaining bit is ‘non-viable’
- From the scans he is confident that there is no evidence of damage to the structures of the brain (We will know more when she wakes up)
- However, the post-operative scans show that she has lots of air on the brain
- Given that Eloise had lots of complications from having air on the brain from her last surgery, the medical team have decided that it is prudent to keep Eloise sedated and in Intensive Care for the night.
- Therefore, Eloise is currently in Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU) and will be woken up tomorrow morning.
- Eloise will stay in PICU until she recovers enough to be moved to the high dependency unit.
- The Neurosurgeon noted that ETMR’s are a very aggressive and that Eloise will need radiotherapy and (probably chemotherapy) very quickly (which we knew).
- Eloise’s MRI images and next steps will be discussed at the MDT meeting on Friday
We will post more in due course but wished to provide a quick update to all those that prayed and have asked for how Eloise is. Apologies for the brevity but, in short:
- We are exceptionally grateful for the amazing skill and perseverance of the Neurosurgeon and his team for successfully removing all the solid tumour and (hopefully) not damaging any of the structures in Eloise’s brain.
- We have mixed emotions about what the ‘residue’ may mean for Eloise and her prognosis and aware that this is the first step along a very thin (and statistically small) road to beating the cancer. Unfortunately, the scans today indicated that the tumour had still grown over the past week, and therefore most likely hadn’t responded to chemotherapy.
- We would value prayers as Eloise comes around tomorrow morning, for protection from side effects and for protection from seizures (like she had after her previous op).
- We would value prayers for the next steps, which need to be decided upon (and acted on) very quickly. We are conscious that next steps are very challenging for ETMRs, so prayers for wisdom as to what chemo and/or focal radiotherapy (and where!) is really needed.
Eloise Zoe 
Rejoicing for the good news… praying for you all each day! Much love… big hugs…. Catherine 💕🌷
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Our Almighy God is with you all the way in the coming months . He will embace the whole family with his love and peace ..🙏 x
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Thank you and continuing in prayer 🙏🏼 My church Prayer Shield is behind you too. May you all get some rest as you live out these next critical days. Lots of love Alison Miller
Sent from my iPhone
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Dear Mel and Pete, I haven’t messaged before but I wanted you to know I have been praying for you all and especially yesterday for Eloise’ surgery. I’m glad to hear the solid part has been removed and will keep on praying for the rest. Xx 🙏
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Wow, so much to take in but so thankful for all the positive parts from the day. Will continue to pray xxx
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casdexter@aol.com
Sent from the all-new AOL app for iOS
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We’re praying that our Almighty God will keep you all strong through such a tough time. I’ve just read that bit in the Bible about God carrying us on eagle’s wings…..
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Thank you so much for posting, it is so kind of you to update when you must be so exhausted. Continuing to pray, and I am blown away by what the surgeon and his team have achieved. Love and strength to you all xxxxxxx
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Little Eloise has captured the hearts of many in our parish 💕. We hope it gives you comfort and strength to know there are around 50 faithful people here following this blog and praying hard. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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I spent a lot of time yesterday praying for Eloise. Thank you for the update and I will continue to pray.
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Thank you so much for keeping us all updated . Like so many others , we are thinking of you everyday and sending all our love .
We will offer prayers of thanks for the skill of your surgeon and continue to pray for a smooth post operative period for beautiful Eloise .
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Hi – I don’t know you but a friend of mine shared your blog and asked for prayer. I just wanted to let you know I am praying for your family. May you know God’s deep love for you and your family. Thank you for taking the time to keep everyone updated.
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We have all been praying for you and Eloise. Our Lord has everything under control. We will continue to hold you all in our prayers knowing that Jesus hears and always answers us.
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Thank you for such helpful prompts for prayer. The effort put into writing it must be huge but we are grateful that it means we can pray effectively. Thank you. You are amazing parents! We have never met but feel privileged to be part of this tough journey for you all. May you sense the never ending love of God surrounding you today as you bear this burden. No need for replies…praying for Eloise’s brain to rest today ready for being drawn out of the induced coma. Much love…I am one of a group of praying ladies from Glossop who will continue to join you in prayer Joy xx
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Dear Mel and Pete
Like one or two others, I have not left a message before but you and Eloise (and all your family) have been so much on my heart and in my prayers, especially yesterday.
The prayer of Saint Patrick seems particularly appropriate today:
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.
Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.
(Anonymous)
With my love and continuing prayers,
Fi (a friend of Ross and Yvonne’s)
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So pleased and relieved to read that the solid mass of the tumour has been removed. Will continue praying for God’s protection over little Eloise and will continue to hold all the family in my prayers.
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thank you for your fortitude in posting, we would be praying anyway but it is good to hear as we wait thinking of you all. Thanking God for such awesome equipment and the surgeons. Trusting the fearsome possible side effects of surgery have been minimised by thier skills.
With love, Allen and Chantal
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Dear Pete, Mel, Anna, Yvonne and wider family,
We rejoice that yesterday went so well.
Sue H and I were able to go for a walk on Monday and pray for you all.
We continue to pray for Eloise’s healing, and for you all to be resting in God’s loving presence
with His peace, strength & wisdom at home, in the hospital and in all you do.
Maryann & Bruce
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