The Kids of 2005
Amber
Amber was an active, happy 9-year old who enjoyed
being with her family, friends, and competing on the cheerleading squad. In
December 2004 during cheerleading practice Amber injured her back, and we began
treatments with a chiropractor. During the rest of that month and into January
2005, Amber’s condition became worse, and she began suffering severe rib pain.
Soon she could no longer walk. We took her to an orthopedic specialist who
ordered x-rays and blood work. The x-rays clearly showed fractures to her back ,
and when the blood test results came in we were immediately sent to the
Morristown Valerie Center for children’s blood disorders and cancers. There, she
underwent a bone marrow test. Her diagnosis was Acute Lymphocitic Leukemia.
Amber was admitted into the hospital that day and life as our family knew it was
changed forever. For the next three months Amber was in the hospital more that
she was home. She had to wear a back brace 23 out of 24 hours a day for two
months. Her chemotherapy in the first month was so intense that she suffered
several seizures, which resulted in brain damage. Her kidneys and liver were not
functioning properly, and she endured many more tests and received multiple
blood transfusions. Our oncologist was confident that she would recover and,
thankfully, she has made major improvements. She is currently in remission and
her last brain MRI showed significant improvements, with only minimal damage
remaining.
But she has a long way to go. It is now July and Amber has just begun the
delayed intensifications phase in her treatment. Thankfully, her back fractures
are healed and she is walking on her own. We are praying she makes it through
this new phase better than the first few months when she underwent severe
treatments. She will receive chemotherapy drugs again by vein, spinal taps and
mouth. This phase will lat two months and the she will go through other phases
of treatment for approximately two more years.
During this difficult time we have been so fortunate to be under the care of a
wonderful team of doctors and nurses who are dedicated to helping Amber get
well. Our thanks go out to them and to all who are helping us throughout Amber’s
battle with Leukemia
Jessica
The nightmare began October of 2004, 1 week before
her 12th birthday. Jessica was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Three days later
the family was waiting for her to come out of brain surgery. Although the tumor
is considered benign, it has done and could continue to do more damage. It was
in a very hard to reach area and some of the tumor still remains. It was on her
carotid artery involving many nerves and blood vessels. She is blind in her
right eye and has no feeling on half of her face. The horror doesn't end there.
The radiation will destroy her pituitary gland and she will need replacement
hormones forever.
As of this writing, Jess’s tumor has grown. She will need to receive step 2
radiation. This is treatment every day, except Saturday and Sunday, for six
weeks. There are two centers in the United States that provide this treatment;
one in the Massachusetts and the other in California. Jess spends her week in
Boston and returns home for week ends.
Keep this very sweet and special child and her family in your prayers.
Joe
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