Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Champion

Ava Krush
Rapid City, S.D.

In Ava's eyes we see innocence and hope and a miracle. At just three months old Ava was diagnosed with a tumor(astrocytoma) in her spinal cord. On June 30 2003 as my husband and I sat looking at our daughter we were given this news and were sent immediately to specialized care at Fairview University in Minneapolis, MN. "It was hard to believe she was sleeping like and an angle and Ava didn't look like there was anything wrong with her". The Tumor was inoperable so she started chemotherapy that lasted for about a year and a half and some medical trips to Minnesota lasted 16 days. After that she started PT and OT in attempt to straighten out and help her left arm and shoulder, which is where some nerve damaged occurred. We have been doing this for about three years without much lasting success. Ava is a true champion, showing courage and strength while going throught all these medical challenges in her life. Finally, we decided to make the trip back to Minnesota to explore some more options for Ava, and on October 29 she will be having transplat surgery in hopes to make her arm more functional As her family, we cannont see anything wrong with Ava, but to brevent further atrophy, her doctors feel this is a good time and opportunity to do this. Ava look forward to everyday as a zestful preschooler, soccer plaer, ballerina princess and we are very, very thankful for that. We ahve been very fortunate to have Children's Micracle Network help with transporation to and from Minnesota and support us throught this journey.

Dione Krush
Miracle Mom

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