Taylor's fight with Neuroblastoma Cancer

On 9/9/01 Life Threw Us a Curve Ball

     Our daughter Jamie and Grand daughter Taylor have recently moved back home. We have been blessed with the ability to spend so much time with both of them this last summer.

     Taylor has been around an airplane being built since she was born and never stops talking airplanes. She loves to eye the sky for the next "BIG JET". Can't wait to tell Grand Dad to "look up"! Or, "Do you hear that"! Always checking on me while I work away in the garage. She had visited the refurbished Connie in Kansas City. She knows Grand Dad used to fly helicopters. And always calls that thing in the sky a "Green Helicopter" or a "Connie" or while trying to call the jet a 737, Taylor says "Look, a 579"! Even managed to sweet talk me into coming up with a name for our new bird. It will be called "Taylor Maid"
     On 9/7/01, Taylor, at 26 months was diagnosed with cancer. In one day, we went from having a very healthy Grand daughter to our world crashing down around us. My daughter Jamie, my wife Jana and I are needless to say, devastated.
     Jamie's mom and I are very blessed with large extended families. The support from all has been, and I am sure will be overwhelming. For this, I am very thankful. I hope our family members know how proud I am to be a part of this incredible family. Our love and thanks are forever with you.
     I believe anyone out there building a plane is probably as fortunate as we feel. If you have a child, don't forget to give them a hug every day.
     For now, our life will be day by day. No one knows what the future will bring. I pray that in the future Taylor is cured. I look forward to the day I can take Taylor for a ride in her airplane.
     Jamie, Jana and I would ask all of those RV fliers, builders and RV want-a-bee's to keep us in your prayers.

Our little angel Taylor

UPDATE
5/4/02-In the last 8 months, Taylor has gone through 6 Chemo treatments, 1 surgery to remove tumors in her abdomen and 15 days of radiation treatments. Her cancer is currently in remission and she is doing fantastic. Right now our little angel is energetic and happy just as before. It is as if the problems Taylor had this last year never occurred. Still working on getting her used to the idea of wearing a head set for the plane ride.
We hope and pray for her continued success. Thanks go out to all of you for the prayers that have given us this miracle.

UPDATE
8/19/02-Taylor has had all her bone, body and bone marrow scans and all are negative! She is now in remission !! We are very happy with her progress and look forward to seeing her grow. She has now had 3 rides in the RV and loves it, all though she will only do it if mommy rides with her.

UPDATE
2/8/03-Taylor has now been 11 months into remission and doing great. We have finally been able to get her into the plane on her own and she loved it. This is a photo of her and I just coming back from a 1/2 hour of light acro and she just kept saying "Lets do more". I get a big kick out of her and her attitude. The kid just keeps on going and we see no signs of concern at this point. All tests continue to be positive and so does Taylor.

UPDATE
     6/11/03-We have just had some bad news on Taylor's progress. Today, Jamie was informed that the last bone and body scan from May has come back with what appears to be growth in the abdomen and forehead areas. Both of these areas have had tumors in the past. A crushing blow to us all. I think we have had such a great time this year with Taylor being cancer free, we simply forgot the reality of her situation. Simply hard to believe that this healthy happy girl still has such a large hill to climb.

     Friday, they are going to take a bone marrow sample for testing. Then in 1-1/2 weeks Taylor will have an MRI done. After that the doctors will be meeting with us to run down our options.

     For now, just keep us in your prayers,
     Paul, Jana, Jamie and Taylor

Dear Jamie,

     For you to have challenges along the road of life is a part of being human. It is the way you handle these challenges that determines your character.
     You have the ability to attack life head on in the face of despair. To always have a smile on your face for your daughter. To never have a harsh word. Always thinking of others during your struggles.
     These traits of yours determine who you are and give others the strength to continue in this time of sadness.
     You will come through this one day at a time and be incredibly blessed by the presence of Taylor in your life. We are all blessed with the gift Taylor gives us every day. She has brought all of us closer together.
     The character you have developed while coping with your challenges make me very proud to be your father.

Love Dad

UPDATE
6/27/03-We met with the doctor today and were presented with options for Taylor's future. Historically, only 5-10% of children with neuroblastoma recover after a reoccurrence of the tumors. She is in perfect health otherwise and has been selected to participate in a study at the University of Michigan for a new treatment of the cancer. The current rate of success bringing others back into remission through this study is 50%. She will need to undergo 1-2 chemo treatments locally prior to entry into the program. She may start this as early as July 7th 2003. Taylor is strong and a fighter. Taylor's ability to fight, gives us the strength to fight also. We are hoping and praying for the best.

UPDATE
10/20/03-A busy 4 months have past, Taylor had 3 more chemo treatments in late summer and fall. She then was treated at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with an experimental treatment. The treatment consists of an injection of a compound that is absorbed by neuroblastoma cells called MIBG. On top of this compound they tag a large amount of radiation. It's like getting a radiation treatment from within. The idea being that the tumors absorb the compound and the radiation kills them. Taylor spent 3 days in a hospital room alone, unable to have anyone in the room because of her emitting radiation. What a trooper this kid is, the hospital staff was amazed at how well she did! Taylor will be returning to Ann Arbor mid Dec for a scan to see how much of the cancer has cleared up.

UPDATE
12/20/03-Initial scans from late Sept showed cancer in the head, shoulder, abdomen, hip and knee. Current scans show 1 small area in the head that is a concern and all others GONE ! Although, this is good news, something still showed up, so the University of Michigan doctor wanted to get a MRI of the head. Well - we just got a phone call that said the MRI is clear. Unbelievable, we are very happy to hear this news. The doctors have not yet said "remission" so we are cautiously optimistic. Taylor has, through this whole process, been strong as ever. Each treatment causes her immune system to be destroyed and recreated. Each time this happens, it is normal that the patient will get sick and have to return to the hospital. Since the reoccurrence, she has never had to return to the hospital, just keeps on going, just keeps on smiling. If she hadn't lost her hair again, you could never tell just what this kid is going through.

Thank you to all that keep us in your prayers, I hope you have a Merry Christmas, I can guarantee you that we will.

UPDATE
1/5/04--Just as quickly as our optimism increases--we find that although the tumors are clear, the cancer is still found in her bone marrow.
2/3/04--Taylor woke up with a black eye today. This is a possible indication that tumor growth has started again in her skull. She is scheduled for a CT scan 2/5/04. The emotion roller coaster continues.2/6--And the CT scan is clear....???? Don't know what to think.

UPDATE
4/15/04--Taylor had been doing well till last week--Since then she has been resting comfortably at home. We seem to be coming to the end of a great time spent with her for the last 2-1/2 years.

4/19/04--At 3:15pm today-at 4 years and 9 months old, surrounded by family and friends, our little angel passed away. Our thanks go out to all of those that have prayed for and delivered our miracle over the last 2-1/2 years, we cherish that time in our hearts.

In her short life Taylor touched untold hundreds of hearts and we would like to express our profound gratitude for all the prayers, concern and kindness shown by family, friends, co-workers, prayer groups, and countless others who we'll never even know.

The Power of Prayer

In September 2001 came news that gave our hearts a chill.
Little Taylor Stratman was very, very ill.
That dreaded monster Cancer reared it's ugly head.
"Her chances of survival are slim," that's what the Doctors said.

Across the nation, around the world, we begged that you would spread the word.
Please pray for little Taylor--and our request was surely heard.
From around the world, across the nation, from sea to shining sea.
From Bangladesh to Canada, came answers to our plea.

Relatives, friends and strangers responded with their love.
And promised that they would storm the Heavens above.
Through Chemo, surgery, transplant and radiation.
Taylor and her Mom faced it all with strength and determination.

All the saints in Heaven were called upon, I'm sure.
To intercede for Taylor--"Please Lord send her a cure."
We cannot know what the future holds, but as of this transmission.
It appears that our little sweetie is now in remission.

So I'm sending out this message--I wish I could truly express.
The profound appreciation this family does profess.
Thank you all, known and unknown (the number only Heaven knows).
For I believe that Taylor was sent a rare celestial Rose.

Author Janice Stratman
Sometimes known as G G Ma
In behalf of the Stratman Family

Paul Stratman
Paul's RV6A Home