New diagnosis for Taylor, but future still bright

Nothing can punch a hole in the incredible high felt by Jeff and Laurie Radtke these days.

They are so relieved, so grateful to have their daughter, Taylor, alive and getting stronger every day that even learning her tumor came from an uncommon bone disease can't corral the joy.

The lab results after the successful removal of her tumor show that it was actually caused by fibrous dysplasia and was not a clivus meningioma as initially believed.

Fibrous dysplasia is an unusual bone disease that can affect any bone, in this case nestling into Taylor's clivus bone -- the supporting structure for her brain.

Basically, scarlike tissue develops in place of normal bone. When the bone grows, the softer tissue expands and weakens the bone. In this case, the growth was pressing on her carotid artery and a nerve that regulates eye movement.

Although there is a possibility the tumor will regrow, it is, overall, a good prognosis, explained neurosurgeon Robert Spetzler of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, who helped remove the tumor.

"In fact, it's an excellent prognosis," Spetzler said. "Although you can never be sure it's all gone, I'd say the odds of this not bothering her for the rest of her life are very good."

The Johnsburg 7-year-old will need follow-up monitoring and frequent MRIs to ensure the tumor does not again become invasive.

Initially worried by the pathology report, the Radtkes said Spetzler has reassured them and they are more comfortable with what's ahead.

"I was concerned, but at least they were able to ID it for sure," said Jeff Radtke, who is a Lake Zurich fire captain. "A lot of our questions were answered by Dr. Spetzler.

"We have to be cognizant of the fact that there could be a bigger problem than what we've faced, but we already know it's there and we know what to do now," Jeff added.

Helping ease the news is how rapidly Taylor is recovering. Another follow-up exam Tuesday showed she's doing great, Laurie said. "We just lit up like light bulbs," said the mom who led the battle to find medical help for her child.

"The support has been overwhelming and all the help ... it's been wonderful," she said. "We're so grateful that words can't even express it, but I hope to be able to one day."

Spetzler said the family did the right thing in their determined quest to find help, a quest that spurred an incredible outpouring of help from across the region as Daily Herald readers reached out to the family.

"I think what they did was exactly the right thing," Spetzler said. "When you sort of hit a wall, you turn around and look whether there's another route. None of us know everything ... you don't give up until you've done your best for your child.

"She's a lucky girl."

Fundraiser

Lake Zurich Fire Rescue and Firefighters Local 3191 are hosting an Oktoberfest fundraiser and silent auction for Taylor Radtke from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Valker Hall, St. Francis de Sales Church, 135 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich. It's $5 for adults, free to children 11 and younger.