Taylor's family on pins, needles? Will there be surgery?
"What if he's decided he can't?" Laurie Radtke said.
The fear overrode all else as she and Jeff Radtke arrived at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix with daughter Taylor, 7, Thursday afternoon.
Their appointment with neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Spetzler just 20 minutes away, Laurie said they'd been trying not to think of the worst case scenario. What if the doctor had decided he couldn't, after all, operate on Taylor, 7? What if the brain tumor, a clivus meningioma, was too complex, too risky, after all?
"We've been trying not to think about it. But, as we were driving here, it beats on you like a hammer," Laurie said. "My biggest fear is coming down here and then pow, he'd say there's no way. My biggest fear is he's going to say this isn't going to work and that would just crush me. I can't have that happen."
Earlier Coverage Firefighters, friends, strangers all help Taylor (10/18/07) Column: On a cross-country ride of hope (10/18/07) Taylor's trip a dream come true (10/17/07) Taylor's smiles choke up dad (10/16/07) Editorial: Story brings heartfelt response (10/16/07) A dream comes true (10/15/07) Wish has Radtkes' riding high (10/14/07) Taylor finds doctor to do the surgery (10/13/07) You've already done so much for little Taylor (10/12/07) Ailing girl's parents buoyed by support (10/12/07) Outpouring of help eases pain for Johnsburg family (10/11/07) McHenry Co. family praying for 'miracle' cure to help save their daughter (10/10/07)Video: Special zoo tourVideo: Taylor at Sea WorldVideo: Taylor at the zoo Video: Taylor goes onboard How you can help bull; Donations for Taylor Radtke are being accepted at First Midwest Bank's Johnsburg branch, 3805 N. Johnsburg Road, and McHenry branch, 1308 N. Route 31. Funds raised will be put toward research, travel expenses and medical costs.The Johnsburg family is in Phoenix to see Spetzler after a desperate quest to find a surgeon willing to tackle the tricky tumor after almost 30 other doctors had declined. A massive outpouring from the public after their story was published, along with medical advice, let them to Spetzler who often takes on challenges no one else will consider.As he sorted through the medical tests and reports, the family spent the past few days in San Diego thanks to Make-A-Wish granting one of Taylor's special request. The trip had been a joy, featuring laughter and fun for the first time in a long time. But medical reality was slamming them hard as they approached Spetzler's office."I can't even think," Laurie said. "It's like walking in with a blindfold on."Even if they got bad news, she said they would continue their quest. They have to, she said."There is no three strikes and you're out here," Laurie said, her words catching. "There has to be an answer."