Live ReeseStrong!
Julia "Reese" Klauer was diagnosed with a brain tumor (medullablastoma) in January 2009. She was only 6 years old. The tumor was surgically removed on 1/14/09. Post surgery, she was diagnosed with a rare condition called Posterior Fossa Syndrome. She was unable to talk, walk, use her arms or even swallow in the first days post-op. She was sent to inpatient rehab at Kluge Children's Hospital in Charlottesville, VA for almost 3 weeks. Over the next 10 weeks she regained the ability to eat, talk and even walk again. She still participates in PT and OT to strengthen her core and hone her fine motor skills.
Reese's treatment protocol calls for 30 days of daily radiation to the head and spine. Then she will undergo 4 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy with stem cell transplant. Her treatment should be complete in August 2009. There have been lots of ups and downs for Reese and her family through this journey but one thing has remained consistent throughout - her determination to beat this awful disease. She is a hero to so many for her strength, courage and perseverance. As we like to say... don't just live strong, live ReeseStrong! www.reesestrong.org
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