McHenry Co. girl makes quick exit from hospital after surgery
Two tumors down in four-plus hours of surgery and Taylor Radtke was ready for a promised post-surgery ice cream treat and a quick exit from the hospital.
An overnight stay in intensive care last Friday, a brief visit to a regular hospital room and the sturdy little Johnsburg girl got to head home to her family's temporary quarters in the Phoenix area Saturday afternoon.
"The doctor said, 'Taylor, you were in the hospital for 2½ days after your first surgery, then a day this time,'" her mother, Laurie Radtke said Monday, three days after doctors removed two more tumors from her daughter's brain. "'Next time, are you going to go dancing off the operating room table?'"
The 9-year-old just smiled. And despite a swollen and bruised face and fatigue, she's still smiling, her mother said. "She has not had one iota of pain medicine," Laurie marveled. "I look at her in awe."
No wonder her mom has dubbed her an "angel in combat boots." Doctors, including Dr. Peter Nakaji and Dr. John Milligan, cleared out Taylor's sinuses, drilling new drainage holes and inserting ear tubes. They then removed two tumors caused by an unusual bone disease called fibrous dysplasia in a long procedure at Barrow Neurological Institute Friday. It was the second tumor removal surgery for the youngster who will undoubtedly need more in the future, her mom said.
For now, they're watching movies, making more tissue flowers, even trying a short stint of homework - though a headache quickly stopped that - as they await pathology reports due later this week. They'll be in the Phoenix area for at least another week or two and likely longer, pending post-op exams next Monday and Tuesday.
Taylor has to remain upright and keep her head elevated for at least the next week. She can't do anything that would jostle her head and also needs help walking since her equilibrium is off. But, overall, she's doing great, eating ice cream and Popsicles and resting. Her favorite - mashed potatoes - might be a few days off, her mom said.
Cards and letters from Daily Herald readers, who have followed Taylor's saga beginning with her frantic search for a doctor in October 2007, arrived Monday, putting a big smile on Taylor's face, her mom said. "They just got here and she is so excited," Laurie said.
She's not the only one.
"We're just feeling total relief and excitement that she's doing so well," Laurie said, adding they are eager to help others facing similar difficult medical situations.
"We've been given a second gift, a second miracle and I want to be able to pay it forward," Laurie said. "If anyone is in a similar situation, I'd be happy to talk to them. We want to pay it forward."
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>Earlier Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=290781">Taylor gets a second miracle <span class="date">[05/01/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=290282">Life-saving surgery on McHenry Co. girl Friday afternoon <span class="date">[04/30/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=289193">After tumor's return, Johnsburg family hopes for 2nd 'miracle' <span class="date">[04/26/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=249447">Johnsburg girl back in action after life-saving surgery <span class="date">[11/10/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=179277">From worst fears to cheers for Taylor's family <span class="date">[4/25/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=132078" class="mediaItem">Taylor Radtke having the time of her life<span class="moreDate"> [02/10/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=75422" class="mediaItem">Taylor pays surprise visit to fundraiser<span class="moreDate"> [11/11/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=72336" class="mediaItem">New diagnosis for Taylor, but future still bright <span class="moreDate"> [11/07/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=65700" class="mediaItem">Taylor released from hospital<span class="moreDate"> [10/28/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=65112" class="mediaItem">Taylor's recovery going well <span class="moreDate">[10/27/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=65700" class="mediaItem">Taylor released from the hospital <span class="moreDate"> [10/27/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=64154" class="mediaItem">Taylor's 'inoperable' tumor removed <span class="moreDate"> [10/26/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=63514" class="mediaItem">Fear, hope as Taylor's surgery begins <span class="moreDate">[10/25/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=62327" class="mediaItem">Lake Zurich fundraiser to benefit girl <span class="moreDate">[10/22/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=61374" class="mediaItem">The surgeon who wouldn't say no <span class="moreDate">[10/21/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=60269" class="mediaItem">Taylor's surgery next week <span class="moreDate">[10/19/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=59578" class="mediaItem">Firefighters, friends, strangers all help Taylor <span class="moreDate">[10/18/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=59214" class="mediaItem">Column: On a cross-country ride of hope <span class="moreDate">[10/18/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=58783" class="mediaItem">Taylor's trip a dream come true <span class="moreDate">[10/17/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=57970" class="mediaItem">Taylor's smiles choke up dad <span class="moreDate">[10/16/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=57837" class="mediaItem">Editorial: Story brings heartfelt response <span class="moreDate">[10/16/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=57494" class="mediaItem">A dream comes true <span class="moreDate">[10/15/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=57158" class="mediaItem">Wish has Radtkes' riding high <span class="moreDate">[10/14/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=56593" class="mediaItem">Taylor finds doctor to do the surgery <span class="moreDate">[10/13/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=55809" class="mediaItem">You've already done so much for little Taylor <span class="moreDate">[10/12/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=55944" class="mediaItem">Ailing girl's parents buoyed by support <span class="moreDate">[10/12/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=54828" class="mediaItem">Outpouring of help eases pain for Johnsburg family <span class="moreDate">[10/11/07]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=54584" class="mediaItem">McHenry Co. family praying for 'miracle' cure to help save their daughter <span class="moreDate">[10/10/07]</span></a></li> </ul> <h2>Video</h2> <ul class="video"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=video&item=39" class="mediaItem">Taylor's surgery</a></li> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=video&item=38" class="mediaItem">Visiting the doctor</a></li> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=video&item=37" class="mediaItem">Special zoo tour</a></li> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=video&item=36" class="mediaItem">At Sea World</a></li> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=video&item=35" class="mediaItem">At the zoo</a></li> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=video&item=34" class="mediaItem">Taylor goes onboard</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>