My Brave Little Girl!

Two weeks ago, we were worried about how Kaitlyn would do on her own at Preschool without mom and dad around. Would she adjust? Would she nap ok at school? Boy, how life can change at the drop of a hat.

On Friday, August 29, 2008, Kaitlyn was diagnosed with Leukemia. We spent a week and ½ at Umass Hospital in Worcester digesting this nightmare. We were lucky enough to have noticed swollen lymph nodes behind her ears and in her throat. Wednesday (8/27/08), Kaitlyn’s pediatritian drew blood and ran a CBC which showed suspicious cells. Friday morning (8/29/08), at the Pediatric Hemotology department at Umass, they re-ran the blood work and that gave them confirmation of suspicious cells. They then performed a bone marrow biopsy and with that delivered the news that you never thought you would have to hear. Your daughter has Leukemia. The first 4 days were the worst, complete with blood draws, a bone marrow biopsy, a lumbar puncture, multiple IVs and a 2 hour surgery to implant a "Central Line" (basically an IV coming out of her chest) to administer her chemo treatments and draw blood from. She has also had 7 days of chemotherapy.

After a VERY long week & 1/2, we are finally home from the hospital. Kaitlyn is doing really well after everything she has been through. She is still in very good spirits and is getting back to running around and being herself (now that she is off her leash/IV ). The doctors & nurses at the hospital were amazed that we caught her leukemia so early. There is no trace of leukemic cells in her central nervous system yet and they don't expect it to travel there now that she has started treatment. They have been testing her bood every day and there are no traces of leukemic cells left in her blood. They will do another bone marrow biopsy in 2 weeks and they are hoping for her to be in "early remission" by then. So, please keep the prayers coming as Kaitlyn continues her fight to kick this disease out of her system. Kaitlyn is showing mommy and daddy how to be brave & strong.

Thank you all for praying and being a part in her recovery.
~Amy, Mike & Kaitlyn