Update – Young Valley Girl Beating Odds After Brain Surgery

PALM DESERT – A young valley girl is recovering after undergoing critical brain surgery. We first told you about Caitlyn Neely last month. She still has a long way to go, but so far, it’s looking like she’ll have a miraculous recovery.

“She’s in intensive care recovering,” says Steve Granik, Caitlyn Neely’s grandfather.

Earlier this week, 10-year-old Caitlyn Neely underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. Doctors feared the operation could leave her blind, deaf or paralyzed, but she’s beating the odds.

“It looks unbelievable,” says Granik. ” She is able to respond. We’re thrilled she is recovering.”

KESQ introduced you to Caitlyn in October as her school and the community came together at Red Robin to raise money for her and her family.

“It’s overpowering,” said Granik at the fundraiser. ” It’s such a nice gesture.”

Caitlyn goes to school at Ronald Reagan Elementary. She’ll likely be out for at least the next couple months. While she’s away, she is on everyone’s mind. Her classmates have been making cards to send to the hospital.

“Get well soon, Caitlyn,” reads one card. ” We miss you,” reads another.

Caitlyn’s best friend, Victoria, wore the same shirt the past two days. It says ‘BFF’, which means best friends forever.

“Caitlyn has this shirt, too,” says Victoria Bracco. ” We like to say we are BFFAFL, that means, best friends forever and for life. I want her back now so we can play.”

Caitlyn is eager to come back, too.

“After she was put into ICU she told her mom, ‘ I’d like to go home now’,” says Granik. ” It was really cute.”

Making it through the intense surgery is a major step, but Caitlyn still has a long way to go.

“Everything looks positive so far,” says Granik. ” We are hoping day to day that she will continue recovering.”

Friends and family members say, no matter what obstacles lie ahead, they are no match for this tough little girl.

“She’s a strong girl, very optimistic,” says Chris Preston, Caitlyn’s teacher. ” The whole time she has said, ‘ they are going to take it out and I’ll be fine.’ That’s exactly what’s happening.”

Caitlyn’s doctors at Loma Linda Medical Center say it appears they got all or at least most of the tumor. They’ll do a biopsy in the next few days.

Next week, two valley 6th graders are holding a bake sale to raise money for Caitlyn. The sale will take place on Tuesday, November 24th at the Albertson’s on Deep Canyon and Highway 111. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To follow Caitlyn’s recovery or to donate, just click on the link on the upper left hand corner of this page.