The day before

Ali spent her day visiting with a few different doctors, getting a checkup in pediatrics, and a final consult with her neurosurgeon. It's settling in. For everyone. There is a significant chance that Ali's memory will be effected by Friday's surgery to remove the tumor. Ali will likely have trouble learning new things. School could become more difficult. Repetitive exercises and lists will be necessary. There's no way of knowing how long that could last.

Ali's family and friends began to arrive today. I followed Ali, Craig, Ali's aunt Lynette, and one of Ali's former teachers, Carol Cooper, to an afternoon mass on campus at Mayo. Ali's faith is keeping her strong through this difficult time.

We are meeting at ten to six tomorrow morning to check in for Ali's surgery. I'll give an update mid-morning. Ali will be in surgery for several hours.









Thank you everyone for your advice and support on this story. Keep Ali in your thoughts tomorrow as she goes into surgery.

You can follow Ali's story on the rapidcityjournal.com. Ali has also set up a CaringBridge page at www.caringbridge.org/visit/alexisnowotny. If you are interested in making a donation to help Ali and her family with medical and travel costs, you can contact Ali's school:

Alexis Nowotny
St. Thomas More High School
300 Fairmont Blvd.
Rapid City, SD 57701
#605.343.8484