From worst fears to cheers for Taylor's family

Laurie Radtke was trying to be calm, trying not to panic as she awaited what she feared would be word her little girl would need yet another brain surgery.

"Pray for us again and hope for good news and a good outcome," Laurie Radtke said as they awaited scan results earlier Thursday.

The Johnsburg mom steeled for the worst when she saw the specialist take a deep breath as he entered the room. She took one of her own.

And the words from neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Spetzler did take away Taylor Radtke's mom's breath, but not how she feared.

"I'm in shock. I have to take a breath," Laurie Radtke said, the words spilling out quickly. "It's as good of news as it can be. I'm in shock, I'm on cloud nine, and in disbelief -- but good disbelief."

Not only does Taylor not need another brain surgery, but her brain scan was so clear, she won't need to see the specialist for two years.

"I'm blown away," Laurie Radtke said. "Not two weeks, not two months or six months -- but two years!"

For a family that walked into that Phoenix examining room Thursday afternoon expecting the worst, it was as good as it gets -- as good as the October day doctors told them they had successfully removed Taylor's tumor.

Thursday's news was so good because Taylor's head pain had returned about a month ago. There had been no panic, but a pervasive fear that the bone disease called fibrous dysplasia might be returning. It hadn't -- the recent pain was simply sinusitis.

So much good has happened in the six months since those terror-filled days when Laurie and Jeff Radtke turned to strangers in a desperate quest to save their daughter. They needed to find a surgeon willing to operate on the difficult tumor which threatened Taylor's vision, mobility and life. Thanks to that outpouring of help from across the region and country, they found Spetzler and Dr. Peter Nakaji at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. They successfully removed the tumor others had called "inoperable."

The doctors cautioned they could not remove it all and the tumor might re-grow, leaving amid the joy a quiet fear that has colored the many joyful moments since.

Initially, Thursday's trip to Phoenix was to have been a happy one for the Johnsburg family.

Just a routine checkup and a chance to thank those who saved a little girl who loves cheerleading and monkeys and not being in hospitals.

Mostly, they've enjoyed having normal.

But a return of the head pain which marked the days before the discovery of the tumor, turned recent weeks into a wary watch and the last 48 hours into escalating worry.

"She was a happy-go-lucky kid who would be doing everything a 7- or 8-year-old would do until the beginning of March," Laurie said. "Then she went from doing everything she'd want to do to being back to square one."

Instead of a routine checkup -- and the joy of being the special guests to help the hospital raise money at Thursday night's fundraiser -- the visit turned into a repeat of the anxious days preceding October's successful surgery.

"This is your child going through this whole thing all over again," Laurie said as they waited. "That's scary."

But they had total faith in these surgeons and this hospital and trusted that, again, Taylor would do well even if she had to go back into surgery.

"We know we're in good hands," Laurie said. "I believe 100 percent in my faith and my heart and I believe in this team."

When Spetzler told her no additional surgery was needed, Laurie said it was the "best feeling. I had myself prepared for ... you know ... and now I have that same feeling we got when they told us they got it all. It's a cool feeling ... just a very cool feeling."

It is indeed.

Need a trim?

There is another family needing your help as well. Tiffany Soderlund, co-owner of Salon 37 in Algonquin, hopes you'll stop by the shop between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday for their cut-a-thon to raise funds to aid the family of her brother, Troy Oates. Troy, the father of 4-year-old twins, was severely injured in a snowmobile accident about six weeks ago. The local electrician won't be able to work for at least six months, and possibly not for a year. His wife, Ann, works with Tiffany at the shop where they're offering $15 haircuts (no blowdrys), $10 eyebrow waxes and $7 polish changes on Sunday. Stop by, if you can. The shop is behind the BP gas station across from the Algonquin Commons. They sure could use your help.

Book it!

Don't forget you book lovers can get your fill this weekend at both the Friends of the Dundee Township Public Libary District and the Friends of the Algonquin Area Public Library spring book sales. You'll find plenty to read at both, with hardcovers, paperbacks, children's books, and CDs and DVDs.

Larry Pepper tells me that Dundee's sale is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday.

And Kent Sprague says you can enjoy Algonquin's sale at their Eastgate branch from 4 to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.