On Aug. 22, my family and I (Breanna Pflaumer) got back home from our adventurous trip to New York. In this skyscrapers and subways state, I was able to be a true tourist and hit all the hotspots. The first day we got there, we took the fast track and saw the Empire State Building. The view from the top was indescribable.

The second day of our trip we took a boat to see Lady Liberty. What a beautiful piece of art; given to us by France, it represents life, liberty, and freedom. Another site we visited was the infamous Ground Zero. I have never been so speechless in my life (which I know is hard to believe). The atmosphere was cold, yet somehow hope reigned out.

At Ground Zero I met a remarkable young man named Lacy. He is in the armed forces and was on leave for a short period of time. Meeting him was so inspirational. He risks his life to supply people with the hope this country needs.

Another thing I got to experience was a Broadway play. My family and I went to see "The Lion King." The play was amazing.

After writing this update, I totally forgot the coolest thing about New York. I went to catch a Yankees game. We sat right behind home plate. We even got to take a tour of the stadium and meet the players. The coolest thing was the baseball that I had signed.

Let me update you on how I have been in California. Just recently, my mom and I have begun to attend meetings sponsored by the program called "We Can!" It is social gatherings put on for the support of children with brain tumors. The first meeting I went to I met a girl named Sarah; she has a brain tumor and is still living life to the fullest.

As for Sept. 23, my sister finally moves down to UCLA to get ready to start school. I am excited for Shannon, yet very sad because I will miss her so much. Now whom will I sucker to take me to lunch? Even though she is moving out, she definitely deserves it, and I wish her the best. I am very proud of her!

As for school, I am finally a senior. I just recently received my senior pictures, and they are so cute. I cannot wait to send them out.

Now here are a few short words from my dad, to update you about my medical condition.

Tom Pflaumer writes: As I stated in our last update, Breanna's tumor has shown signs of growth with pockets of fluid or cysts, causing increased symptoms, which need to be addressed before any treatment to combat the tumor is started.

We are weighing our options, and if surgery is a necessity, the procedure is somewhat less complex than previous debulking procedures she has experienced in the past. With the pressure reduced, we will have better odds of not experiencing problematic repercussions as we did with previous chemotherapy treatments.

I must say that medicine has made leaps and bounds in the treatment of brain tumors such as Breanna's. I personally have had the opportunity to meet other children who have survived in excess of 10 years and are still going strong in their efforts to defeat this disease. The resilience of youth is the most promising factor that keeps doctors on the forefront of medicine because of their unquestioned faith in all our efforts for an extension on life.

God bless all the children of the world. Thomas, Terrie, Shannon and Breanna Pflaumer Moorpark