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

Monday, February 7, 2011

Donor News!

Hi Everyone! I'm very happy to report that I have lots of good news, and as always, lots of favors to ask!

First of all, Kim is doing well. Her feet are feeling a little better, and she's feeling more energetic. She is still having trouble with side effects (no saliva, aching body, dry throat, burning feet, bored out of her mind...) but yes, is feeling as a whole a little bit better.

When Monday rolls around, all of the regular doctors check back in, and we start to get big news! They have narrowed Kim's bone marrow matches down to the lucky one! Apparently, this person is able and willing to save Kim's life. It is so strange to think that he/she is out there, and yet, we can't know anything about them, or even send them a message, until a whole year after the transplant has gone by. (I keep telling Kim that I hope "he's" a tall, dark and handsome, 28ish, International businessman... but really, anyone at all will do ;)

They are also holding on to those two units of Cord blood that were also matches for her, just to use as back up.

Dr. Barnett, her primary Oncologist, also laid out the plan for Kim's near future. She will be getting her next Bone Marrow Aspirate (test) some time next week. If her Leukemia cells have dropped to less that 8% of her total marrow, they'll send her home for a break and then get started on the transplant round (PRAY FOR THAT ONE!) If, however, the Leukemia is still more than 8%, she will have to stay at the hospital and start this round of chemotherapy over again.

Please, please, please pray for us that this round has taken out the majority of her cancer. Each round is harder on her, and we need to get her through this as soon as possible.

Thank you again, as always, so much- we could never do this without you.

Love, Emily
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4 comments:

  1. JoanneFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    What wonderful news. We will keep you all in our prayers. Please tell your mother that her testimony in Relief Society yesterday touched me more than she'll probably ever realize. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Your family is truly amazing!

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  2. CarolFebruary 8, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    Oh I am so happy for that news! What a blessing and a relief. Yay Kim! If your feet were happy, I would take you out dancing...it is such good news! Hugs! Carol

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownFebruary 8, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    Good luck!!! I'll pray for you and your family. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. mommynolanFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    WOOT WOOT!!!

    ReplyDelete

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