HUGE HAPPY DANCE!!! We learned today that Lola's CAT Scan and MRI came back 'all clear'!!! Looks like we'll probably be on monitor mode with MRIs every three months for a while, but we can deal with that!!!! The monitoring via regular MRIs is needed just in case there are some cancer cells remaining that could re-grow after a period of time.

For now we are all breathing a big sigh of relief :)

Finally, the tests are done`

We made it through until noon with no food or drink (it may have helped that Mick was out of town ;), so we were able to get the tests completed. I have to say that if I had to do it again, I would opt out for the gas mask -- not a peaceful way for a 2 1/2 year old to go to sleep!

We won't know the results until early next week. When we do hear, I'll post here.

No test today

Grrrrrrr..... you won't believe it. I woke up and fed Lola an early breakfast and prepared myself and her for the morning of no food or drink ahead. We were doing pretty good and around 8:30, I was in the kitchen and Lola was in and out of Mick's office, she and Mick come out into the kitchen and Mick said she got a hold of his bagel and helped herself to a bite of it. That's it, just one bite. I didn't know how big of a deal it was going to be, so we finished our morning and headed over the SJCH. I told them about the 'bite' of bagel and the nurse called over to anesthesiology and we were told that she needed 6 full hours of NO food... not even a bite of anything, due to obvious risks if she were to vomit during sedation, etc.... so no testing today :-( Right now, they couldn't get us on the schedule again until Sept 17th at Noon. The scheduling department is working on trying to get us in at All Children's sooner, but haven't received any confirmation yet. If we can get in over at All Children's sooner, I will consider this one of those "It was meant to be" things.

More waiting...

Seems as though luck is just not on our side. One of the machines at the hospital is down and therefore the hospital can't do both tests at the same time until September 3rd. Seems crazy to me, but I'm sure there is a more detailed explanation that we're not privy to. Our appointment isn't until 1pm on the 3rd, so it will be fun (NOT!) trying to tell Lola that she can't have anything to drink or have breakfast or lunch (due to the anesthesia) that day... we'll have to keep her very busy and mind off food and water. I expect a very grumpy girl!

Finally!

After two weeks, they finally worked through the red tape and received authorization from the insurance company. The hospital called today to advise. Lola should be scheduled sometime next week for her tests. I'll post when I know exactly when.

Insurance Companies!!!! Grrrrr.

We found out Friday that the hospital is having a problem getting authorization from the insurance company for the necessary tests. They say they are working through the red tape, but this is what is causing the delay. They seemed to think, if all goes well, we'll get a call on Monday for when the next tests will be scheduled.

One week later

We still haven't received a schedule for Lola's next round of tests. ...the waiting is the hardest part :(