Everybody hang on tight...we're going in!

This is probably the second best post I'm going to put on this blog...and with any luck, it's going to lead to the best one very soon. You all know we've lived through bumps and miracles along the journey, but right now, we are breathless with hope and excitement. I'll let Amy reveal everything below, but first, a couple of things from me:

If you know where the Aldridge family is, please do not mention that in any blog comments. We are creating a circle of absolute privacy around them for a while.

Thank you for all the thoughtful comments about accessible parking--one by one, we can change our own communities...and yes, that WAS my little brother popping in. Hey Davy! Want us to send a little karma to your foot?

And, finally, thanks for the prayers for Greg. He's doing much better and was very moved that Sahara's devotees added him to their Godtalks. I'm going to keep the focus here on Sahara, but tell you what: on the 24th of each month (because Greg also shares a 24 birthday!) if you feel so inclined, ask God to help him heal.

Now, keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle, and please secure small items, because the ride is about to take off. Hold on!

Hello everyone,

By the time many of you read this, we will be well on our way to the west coast, where we will begin the next chapter of Sahara's journey. After searching for what seemed like an eternity, we finally found the surgeon we've been looking for...the one who is going to take that evil tumor out of our sweet girl's head.

Her surgery will take place on Wednesday, September 12.

We would like to ask for your strongest prayers- for Sahara, for the surgeon and his team, and for Shannon and me, that we'll all make it through this together. We're nervous, but so excited. After being told for over a year that her tumor was inoperable, this surgeon is confident that he can get most or all of it out.

He agrees with me...this tumor has not behaved like a typical GBM, which grows and spreads in a rampant fashion. It is contained and has defined edges that are visible on the MRI's. He believes it could be a lower-grade astrocytoma. And I think he's right.

He has a great deal of experience with brainstem tumors, and has saved the lives of literally hundreds of children who have come to him with tumors of all types. We are so lucky to have found him, and are so blessed that he worked us into his schedule this week. He's a real go-getter!

For the time being, we would like to keep our location private. We will be spending all of our time together until Sahara goes into surgery, and focusing all of our energy on taking the very best care of her that we possibly can. I'll post when I can and try to keep all of you informed.

We appreciate your love and prayers so much...thank you for everything you continue to do for us. It means the world.

Special thanks to Cindy and Gunnar...the pizza was fantastic! Sahara hasn't taken off her Livestrong bracelet. And Jennifer, Sahara enjoyed those cheesesticks so much! Tina - we had Outback takeout tonight for our last meal at home! Thank you! Jill, the cupcakes were delicious!! Brenda, thanks for everything you brought us!

(We stopped Sahara's IV treatment after we found out she was having surgery...so she's been able to eat some "real food," as she calls it! LOLOL!)

Caroline, Lexi and Morgan - I'm so glad you came by today. The platter is beautiful and SO special. Sahara was soooo happy to see you all. :)

So that's all for now, folks. Our greatest hope is that after the surgery, Sahara's able to start rehabilitation and get her life back. She wants so badly to go back to school and be with her friends. Pray, pray, pray.

With love and HOPE!

Amy