A miracle realized: Taylor's surgery next week

Laurie Radtke has found her miracle worker. Taylor Radtke, 7, is scheduled for surgery.Wrapping her arms around neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Spetzler, a relieved Laurie sobbed Thursday when the Phoenix specialist told her, yes, he would try what dozens of other doctors had refused."He's like Santa Claus," the Johnsburg mom said moments after leaving the Barrow Neurological Institute where Taylor will return next Thursday to have the unusual brain tumor - a clivus meningioma - threatening her vision, mobility and life removed. Earlier Coverage Seven-year-old Taylor Radtke, diagnosed with a rare tumor that threatens her vision and mobility, needs life-saving surgery that few doctors are willing to perform. Stories Taylor's 'inoperable' tumor removed [10/25/07] Fear, hope as Taylor's surgery begins [10/25/07] Lake Zurich fundraiser to benefit girl [10/22/07] The surgeon who wouldn't say no [10/21/07] Taylor's surgery next week [10/19/07] 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 Taylor's surgery Visiting the doctor Special zoo tour At Sea World At the zoo Taylor goes onboard How you can help DONATE - 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. SEND A CARD - If you'd like to write the Radtkes a card, please send them courtesy of Amy Mack, Daily Herald, 385 Airport Road, Suite A, Elgin, IL 60123. "It was almost surreal," Laurie said at the joyful news capping her family's desperate search to find a specialist willing to "make Taylor matter." When Chicago-area doctors told the Radtkes nothing could be done, they turned to the media for help. The resulting outpouring of support and offers of help both gave the family comfort and helped lead them to Spetzler. His okay is what they longed for, but the reality their little girl is about to have brain surgery was hitting hard Thursday."I feel elated and like jumping up and down, but the thing is now we're so close to actual surgery and I'm scared to death, to be honest with you," a subdued Laurie said as she and Jeff drove to their temporary home with Taylor and her little brother, Blake, 5. "I'm extremely worried."Spetzler expressed confidence in being able to help Taylor even as he said it is a difficult surgery on a tumor that's extremely unusual in a child. "It's very unusual to have a meningioma in that location," Spetzler said after meeting with the family where he offered hope for Taylor. "It is a skull-based lesion, but it is an accessible skull-based lesion. Except for the presentation, I think the odds of her doing well are certainly well above 90 percent," the specialist said."The goals of any surgery are really, first, to do no harm, and, second, to get rid of the offending problem," Spetzler added. "The first step is to get it out of there. That will determine how well we can get it out and the second is to make sure there are no problems from the surgery. The third is to examine the tissue and pathology and make sure it is what we think it is at this point ... then proceed from that."The surgeon will use a team approach and has asked another doctor to assist on what he hopes will be an endoscopic approach to the major brain surgery. If they're able, it means they would go into Taylor's brain through her nose - which will have to be broken - instead of having to cut into her skull.The plan may change because the tumor is already compromising the vital sixth cranial nerve and threatening the carotid artery and pituitary. Asked why he would agree to such a complicated surgery when other doctors had refused, Spetzler said he felt he could have success for Tayor."Patients come here from around the world with complex problems. We really deal with complex neurological cases day in and day out," Spetzler said. "When you see a lot of complex cases you get a much better feel for these relatively uncommon cases and presentations."The Radtkes, worn, emotional and very relieved, said they are very grateful. "To give somebody life is ... no one else but God can do that," Laurie said. "For a doctor to be able to do that, that's what he's doing us, giving us a second life with our daughter." 512470Laurie Radtke gives Dr. Robert Spetzler a hug at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix Arizona Thursday.Brian Hill | Staff Photographer 512390Taylor Radtke waits with her mom Laurie to meet with Dr. Robert Spetzler at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix Arizona Thursday.Brian Hill | Staff Photographer 100100Laurie Radtke begins to cry as Dr. Robert Spetzler tells her he will operate on her daughter, Taylor, to remove an unusual brain tumorBrian Hill | Staff Photographer