Shanay's Story.
The Fritz family has been turned upside down for the last couple of months. Shanay (age 2 years 11 months) who was experiencing stomachache was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on 4 July 2014 for observation. On Tuesday 8 July 2014 a MRI showed that Shanay has a tumor in her lower back. A few days later Shanay was diagnosed with a high grade Glioma(anaplastic astrocytoma). This is a type of brain tumor and she is the only one in Australia with this type of tumor in her lower spine. The doctors have consulted with doctors in Germany and the USA to decide on the best course of treatment for her.
26 July 2014 Shanay received her first chemo therapy. In August Shanay received a second round of chemo.
On 2 September 2014 another MRI was done, the results showed the chemo did not shrink the tumour and has had no effect on her cancer. The doctors can operate to remove the tumour, but their is a very high risk that such an operation will leave Shanay paralysed from her lower back down.
During all these tests and chemo Shanay celebrated her 3rd birthday on 22 August 2014.
A golf day is being held on the 10th October 2014 to help the family financially, see attached pdf form.
A MRI done on December 4th, 2014 revealed that the tumour has grown in size and the only option is to remove it surgically. Shanay is scheduled for surgery on the 12th January 2015. Shanay will have to spend a week in hospital after the surgery.
On 12 January the doctors operated on Shanay and was able to remove 90% of the tumour. Shanay has feeling in her feet and legs!! The recovering process is a long process. She is currently (18 Jan) still in hospital. She will have to undergo physiotherapy to help her strengthen her legs. The family is grateful for the outcome of the operation.
The family is truly grateful for all the prayers, calls, texts and financial help.
Jacome, the daughter of a friend of the Fritz family had to write a poem at school and she wrote about Shanay,
Two eleven
Precious two eleven, not quite three,
Thou art the apple of thy mother's eye.
Compelled by such a rare beauty,
Full of life, longing to be as the sky.
How thy floats away into black,
Falling stars just like a tear.
Wishing for thy to float right back,
Making dark shades oh so clear.
Precious two eleven, not quite three,
Far too young to carry such burdens,
Please don't fade away from me,
Bright skies shine soon, don't close the curtains.
Let you lie with peace, and it with you,
Knowing that, with His strength, you get through.
Note regarding the golf day!
On behalf of the Shanay Fritz Foundation we would like to thank you for your participation and sponsorship of the golf day on the 10th of October.
Nearly $6,500 was raised for this brave little girl and her family on the day. This would not have been possible without the generosity of all the prize sponsors and players.
A special thank you to our main sponsors, F1GrandprixTours.com.au, Woolworths Miami/Falcon, West Country Print Sync, Cape to Cairo, Bridgestone, Waroona Septics, Megaflooring and Kasla Building Solutions.
Thank you to the sponsors of other prizes for the golf day: Barbagallo VW, Peel Golf Centre, A&T Products, Friendlies Chemists, Brighton Hotel, Silver Sands Tavern, Chapters Restaurant, Mandurah Cruises, Red Manna Restaurant, Mandurah Toyota, Mandurah Wine tours, Wizards Warehouse Pharmacy, Crust Pizza Bar, Drummond Golf, Spur Restaurant, Kalahari Restaurant, Penang House Restaurant, Peel Alehouse, Golf Box, Cycles Mandurah, Cobblers Restaurant, Jim Kidd Sport, Le Marthins Jewellery, Race Chip Australia, Mandurah Mazda, Survey Dynamics, Secrets Golf, Pinjarra Golf, Meadow Springs Golf and Murphy's pub. Apologies if I left somebody out.
Thank you to The Cut Golf Course for excellent service and the good rate they charged us per player.
Lastly, thank you to all the volunteers for making the day a huge success!
Regards
Werner Kruger
Managing Director
A&T Products Pty Ltd
7 April 2015 - Shanay is doing well and travels up to Princess Margaret for physiotherapy once a week. She will have a MRI scan next week.
MDE Electrical