[Dan & Corinne]

In the last week Jewel started to have yet another symptom associated with her battle against GME / Necrotizing Enchephelitis.

Over the past week, her right ear started to droop and she is having balance problems. She started staggering to the right in addition to the chronic circling to the left which has been going on for a couple of months now. She is still having an average of 4 seizures a month.

Dan and I had a very long and tearful discussion facing the fact that she may not have too much more time in her short life. We asked ourselves, are we making the decision to continue treating her for us or are we doing it for her. Does Jewel still has some quality of life? The list of things that brings her happiness is getting shorter and shorter.

We decided against chemo & radiation therapy (what kind of life would that be for her by making her more sick to prolong her life?) and instead we chose to try one last option. Jewel will be having her first accupuncture session tomorrow. We are praying to see some improvements within 3-5 sessions. Thank goodness VPI covers accupuncture!

Please send Jewel your happy thoughts! She will be needing all she can get!

We'll let you all know how she does.

PS:
It's been tough lately to check YT on a regular basis since Jewel is needing more of my focused attention. I miss all of your friendship and hope you can understand.