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

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Alright, I'm sorry! I've been so caught up in my own selfish time with Kim (at least on the weekends) that I've really started to slack in the blogging department. But don't worry, you really haven't missed Too much:

Kim has been very, very groggy and nauseated for the past couple of weeks. We all knew it was some sort of medication she was getting, or a combination of them, but she needs most of them, and it's just hard to figure out where it's coming from. However, I think we've decided that it might have been from one of the chemos that she had. She's only had this kind once before, and she got really disoriented then, too- but that was also when she ended up in PICU, so we didn't really notice. We're just glad that it finally started to slack off midway through this week, and she's been feeling alright the past couple of days.

Even though her ANC/White blood cells/Immunity is still at zero, her doctor decided that if she is very careful, and wears a mask, she can leave her room when the hospital is most empty in the evenings. She hadn't done much, but lately she's had enough energy to sneak down to the physical therapy department in the Trauma unit, after hours, to do a little bit of a work out. We've also painted some pictures. And taken lots of naps!

We are approaching one month at the hospital (that day will be the 20th.) The good news is that Kim hasn't had any infections yet, or other major complications. We are still waiting for her blood counts to start to recover, and then she will probably get to come home for a little break. (Like last time- a week or so.)

They've decided that they want to do another regular round of chemotherapy before they start her bone marrow transplant. This basically means another round similar to this one, before The Big One.

They have found five potential bone marrow donor matches for Kim, and two cords that would serve as a back up. It's very unusual for someone like her to have so few (a friend of Kim's who is going through a bone marrow transplant as well had thousands of matches) -but we all know Kim is unusual! ;) They're still studying to choose the very best match, but we know for sure that she'll at least have something.

So there we go! It's been a while of waiting and being careful, but we're doing great so far, and things are looking good. Thank you all for being there for us!
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3 comments:

  1. Momma GloJanuary 17, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    Now I am praying for you as well as Sister Nikki Gordon, you are in really good company there. When you are up to it let me know and I will stop by for a short visit. I am very healthy but you probably see most everybody as just a big germ....(hehehehe) Love ya tons. Praying for a speedy recovery. Momma Glo

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  2. mommynolanJanuary 17, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    I love your new background, so upbeat and cheerful. Thanks for the update. You all are always in our prayers. The Nolans

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  3. tannerJanuary 17, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Great update emily. I was glad to finally meet you and the whole family last night! You guys are an awsome family. I hope things will continue to be positive and kim can spend some quality time at home next week. When you have time look up D and C section 78:17-19. Dont ever forget that someday we will know why we have these trials and what we need to learn from them. In the meantime grasp onto the blessing you receive as your family goes through these day by day!!!
    Robert Smith

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