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BROOKE PAGEL
SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY CHEERLEADER

1/11/2010 – From Coach Deb Beck of Southeastern University Cheerleading

I received some very bad news from Brooke Pagel. Over break Brooke stayed in contact with me and as early as last week we spoke about coming back and everything. At that time she warned me that she had what she thought was a sinus infection that she just couldn't shake and that she had been getting really bad headaches and they make her sick to her stomach and dizzy. At the time she was just concerned she wouldn't be 100% to work with the team when she came back. She set up some Dr appointments prior to coming back and they were working with her to figure out what was causing these symptoms. At yesterdays Dr appointment she found out that she has a brain tumor. Brooke lives in CT but was directed to Boston to undergo brain surgery possibly today or tomorrow.

I don't know a lot of details as Brooke was unsure of everything at the point we spoke yesterday. She assured me that her Mom or another family member would keep us up to date. At this time she just needs prayer.

If you could please just share this with the teams and those that are available to pray for Brooke and her family and the Dr's that will see her.

This is Brooke's second season as a Fire Cheerleader and she was selected as a team leader. She is an amazing young lady who has a heart for missions. Brooke walks in the path the Lord directs her and she is one of the most obedient servants to His will that I have ever met. Her smile is infectious and she is always there to lend the voice of reason to her team members. She isn't afraid to stand out and do things a little different just to make someone else happy. Please join us in praying for her.

1/14/2010 Update on Brooke

Brooke went into surgery on Tuesday January 12th around 2 PM. Her Mom reports that she did very well through surgery and the Dr's feel that they were able to get the entire tumor. They will do another MRI when she is stable enough to be moved from the ICU to determine if there is any tumor left. In the meantime continue to pray that the tumor was not cancerous, the Dr's DID say that the type of tumor that was removed was typically not cancerous, but it would be sent for testing. Should they find that it is cancerous or that there is a portion remaining Brooke would have to undergo radiation (we are praying against that). The incision that they made is about 2 inches behind her hairline so they did not have to shave her whole head her Mom said that the Dr’s did a very nice job. She does have a tube in her head draining excess spinal fluid, the drain will be removed after about 2 weeks if the draining decreases otherwise it will be inserted permanently (internally) to drain to her stomach.

The Pagel family has expressed that they have felt the prayers that so many have offered up. They are praising God that Brooke is on this side of the whole situation. They thank you for the support you have given and are asking that you would continue to pray for favor in finding the tumor to be cancer free, and to have no remaining tumor left on her brain.

We are collecting Letters of encouragement to be sent to Brooke, if you or your team would like to offer up any of these please forward them to:

Southeastern University
Coach Deb Beck
1000 Longfellow Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33801