Arianna is a sweet spirited child who is very compliant and delights in the joys of those around her. She is very tenderhearted and is always the peacemaker with her peers. She loves her little brother dearly, Addison (5 years old). Most importantly Arianna has a deep love for God and loves to sing about Him every chance she gets. She makes up praise songs to comfort herself and unknowingly comforts those around her.

Arianna loves to dance, cheer, and sing. She has cheered at her school, Eagle's Landing Christian Academy, the past two football seasons. She played softball the past two seasons at her church. She was a student at Atlanta Festival Ballet for three years. She loves to sing solos at church any chance she can and most recently sang in the children's Christmas production at Rock Springs Church in Milner, Georgia. She was invited by close friends of the family to do so. She also recited the Christmas story from Luke (with hand motions) at her home church, Salem Baptist Church, in McDonough this past Christmas Eve morning. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to share her love for Jesus.

On July 4th, 2006 we celebrated Arianna's 7th birthday. On August 7th Arianna became very ill. On August 17, 2006 at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston we found out that Arianna had a mass on her brain. The next day she had brain surgery to take a biopsy and also relieve the massive amount of fluid that had built up in her skull, putting tremendous pressure on her brain. We waited for 5 long days to get the results of the biopsy. We were informed that she has a fibrillary astrocytoma which is inoperable because it is in the center of the brain (thalamus region). After a week in intensive care she had another surgery to place a shunt in her head and a port in her chest.

She started chemotherapy on September 11th, 2006. The most recent MRI showed that her tumor has not grown. The goal is to stop the growth and delay radiation. In a small percentage of patients tumors shrink after chemo. We are praying for God to remove this tumor and protect her from the negative effects of radiation.

In Arianna's own words...

"Nurse Heather is very good and sweet. She doesn't hurt me when she puts the needle in my port. Nurse Lisa is sweet and I like how she likes to be with me. Nurse Trish makes sure I don't have any ear infections or problems with my eyes and throat. I like how she tells me what medicines I should take."

Dr. Janss..."I like it when she kisses me on the cheek. I like how she is very nice. I like how she makes sure I am doing well. I like it when she calls me 'Itty Bitty Pretty'."

(My favorite thing about Aflac is) "how everyone likes to take care of me, how they give me presents and cherry popsicles. I made a friend Danielle on the Colorado trip [a trip to Colorado that Aflac sponsored for some of the Aflac Cancer Center patients]. I have also met some very nice doctors. I appreciate what the doctors have been doing. They are very kind."

"I like to go on the fun trips Aflac invites me to go on like the Braves game, and Colorado."

"I like to swim, sing, dance, cheer and play softball. I love Jesus."

(My journey and diagnosis have taught me) "that I have many people who love me and care for me."