Kimberly

Kim was diagnosed with AML Leukemia on July 22, 2009, just after she finished high school. She'd been feeling well, just showing a few bruises when she went to Primary Childrens Medical Center for a heart surgery to fix a relatively minor condition she's had since she was born. A blood test before the surgery showed that her blood had been completely taken over by the cancer. They admitted her that day and began treatment right away. She went through five long rounds of chemotherapy, doing relatively well, with the exception of one infection that led to a very scary stay in the Pediatric ICU. She spent almost all of that time in the hospital, with just a few breaks to go home. By the end of March 2010 she was allowed to go home for good- officially in remission! She was so excited to finally go to USU Fall semester, and got strait A's in all of her classes! Psychology, Humanities, Family Finance and ANATOMY. Not a week after finals, at a regular check up at PCMC, her blood tests showed that her cancer was back. And thus began round two- Kim's goal was to make it to a bone marrow transplant. We had found a donor, so all that was left was to get her in remission once more. After three rounds of chemotherapy, her body was no longer strong enough to keep fighting, no matter that her spirit was. She will always be with us. 7:48 pm, March 31, 2011

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Finally Kim has a chance to really get some rest. She never can get a full night's sleep at the hospital. She's still getting used to it, really.
I can't even tell you how amazing it is to have her home again. We just spent a little while tonight looking at some of the pictures we took of her while she was in PICU, and it was really just a very strange feeling... remembering everything we've been through these past two months. Kim is truly the most amazing young lady I have ever met.
I'm sorry I didn't write more sooner. I'm just enjoying soaking it all in. Also, I'm sorry I have to be a little mean about visitors, but you wouldn't believe how tired she is all the time. She has such a long way to go to catch up still. She has to spend most of her time laying down, and she still has a lot of medications to take through her home IV, but compared to where she was just a few weeks ago... she's improved immensely!
We've decided we are going to have Christmas on Saturday, with Christmas Eve on Friday evening. Although we're still missing Mike, it's so great to have our family mostly together for such a special season.
Kim is going to be in Salt Lake most of tomorrow, for checkups and such. She will probably be going back for her last round of chemo some time towards the end of next week.
Once again, I'm sorry I have to be mean about company, but she's really not up for it. She might be in a few more days- we will let you know. We do love you all so much, and appreciate everything you've done for us.
Christmas Eve in two days! :)
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2010 at 5:53 PM

    That sounds great! Emily, you should never apologize for protecting your sister! It is exactly what she needs right now! And it never sounds mean anyway! Thanks for blogging and keeping us updated on her status, it is very much appreciated! Have a wonderful Holiday! Lots of love to your family!-Kimberly Sorensen

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  2. Don RawlinsonJanuary 29, 2010 at 9:54 AM

    Hi to all,
    Thank you Emily for being so good about letting us know how things are going. Especially, Kim, we love you and hope you continue to improve. You are amazing! Some day I will share a story about my Mother, who had Leukemia when she was 59. Of course, today, with the treatments and all, she would probably still be with us.
    We hope your Christmas is very special. We will be thinking about you and praying for you.
    Love,
    Don and Lois

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  3. Wendy and ChaseJanuary 29, 2010 at 11:10 PM

    Yeah! Merry Christmas tomorrow to all of you :)

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