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, March 20, 2011

Hi Friends!

Today was beautiful. The days since Mike has been home have been quite hectic, and we haven't really had much time to spend with just the five of us. Five? It's surreal having a whole family again, even if it was just for a few hours today.

Kim has been gradually doing better- her kidneys are functioning, her fevers have come down, and she's gradually being taken off of one medication at a time. They feel that the infection in her blood is gone, taken care of with the removal of her central line, and anti-fungal and antibiotic medications. The plan is to place a PICC line in her arm tomorrow- she's still living with IVs in both arms. The PICC line, rather than placing another central line, as they will have to eventually, is just a step. She still has virtually no blood counts, and would have a difficult time recovering from the more intense procedure that the central line would need. We're just looking forward to no more IVs! Though they have them placed in her wrists rather than hands now, they are still quite painful for her.

There hasn't been any talk as to her transplant, starting another round, or coming home. Everything has been put on hold as they've been trying to get her stable again. It looks like we're finally getting there- and thank goodness, it didn't take a trip to PICU this time!

There is yet another bone marrow aspirate (test) planned for later this week. Though she's had two already, they really aren't a good indication until she starts to produce marrow again, which she hasn't, yet. Then they'll know if the leukemia is growing back as well.

Things take much longer now, than they used to. Kim's body is at its breaking point- and it's scary to think that she still has a ways to go, and the transplant will be harder than anything she's done yet. But she's still Our Kim, and as always- she keeps running!

Thank you for being the wind beneath our wings.

Emily
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2 comments:

  1. Piano MomMarch 21, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    Kim, we're thinking of you! I'm so glad you're getting better each day. We think of you often and look forward to one day meeting you!

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  2. mommynolanMarch 23, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    If all it takes is determination-Kim will come flying through. If all it takes is prayer again, Kim will coming flying through. If all it takes is great Doctors, Kim will be just fine. If all it takes is lots of love and support-she will be running at top speed before we know it. Kim, you have got all we can think to give, we are all pulling for you. We love you and miss your cute smiling face and comedic laugh. Your talent at the beauty pageant will not soon be forgotten.
    Be strong! Love always, Renee

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