Cameron Dalene 10/29/91 - 9/02/06

Welcome to our Cameron's web page. We want to keep our family and friends updated on his progress in this fun way. Cameron was first diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia on 11/1/00, just three days after his 9th birthday. He endured 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy threatments at Yale/New Haven Hospital and was off treatment on 4/22/03. We moved to Santa Fe, NM in July.
Unfortunately, he relapsed on 12/9/03 and immediately began re-induction chemotherapy. This time he was treated at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Abuquerque, NM. The doctors told us the best treatment would be to have a bone marrow transplant. Our family was tested and it was discovered that Chad was a perfect match. The bone marrow transplant took place at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on 4/1/04. We were back in Santa Fe, NM on 6/1/04.

After a clean bill of health from CHOP on March 22, 2005, Cameron got the bad news on April 11 that the leukemia had returned. He had to undergo chemo therapy, again to attain remission. He was admitted to Denver Children's Hospital on August 2, 2005 to undergo a stem cell transplant. He received Chad's stem cells on August 9, 2005.

After things were going well and Cam was home and looking forward to returning to school, a bone marrow biospy showed that the leukemia is back. He took part in a study at the Children's Hospital of Denver in an experimental drug to try to attain remission with less toxicity than the traditional induction. His leukemia was greatly reduced but he did not reach remission so we returned to UNMH to have the standard induction chemo. He did go into remission so the next plan was to go to St. Jude for another stem cell transplant. This time it will be with a haplo, or half-matched, transplant. Derek has been selected to be his donor.

During a pre-transplant work-up, it was discovered that Cam had a mass of aspergillus fungus in his left lung. It had to be removed surgically and followed up with intensive IV antifungal medications.

On April 24, Cameron had a major sepsis episode, had to be resuscitated and sustained severe pancreatic and liver damage. He was in the hospital for 1 month. During that time, he wasn't able to receive chemo therapy to keep in remission and he relapsed for the 4th time. At the current time, June 6, 2006, he is on another chemo drug trying to get him into remission. His liver and pancreas continue to improve. Cameron went to be with the Lord on September 2, 2006. we miss him greatly.



Genesis 28:15 "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go...I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Any tax deductible donations can be made to the Cameron Dalene Fund
First National Bank of Santa Fe
62 Lincoln Ave
Santa Fe, NM 87501

A song that has touched our hearts is by Mark Schultz and is called "He's My Son". If you want to hear it, go to
http://members.aol.com/sunnyasalways/SUNNYSHESMYSON.html

Journal

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 10:27 PM CDT

Time flies. Chad and I have been in China now for almost 4 months! We will be flying home around June 8 and will be home for 3 months. Derek and Nikki are getting married in July so it will be fun to be involved with that.

Living in China has been a good experience for us so far. I am very slowly learning the language and have met some Chinese people I can practice with.

Ed is working a lot and has a lot of pressure on his job but he enjoys the work.

I am still writing the book. I have been writing about the last months of his life and after. It has been slow and difficult. I have to take several "mental health" breaks. It is amazing how much it still hurts after 2 1/2 years. I don't imagine that hurt will ever go away.

God is good and his love and mercy endure forever.

I am thankful for God's presence wherever we go.

Hospital Information:

Our home
40 Twin Lakes Dr.
Waterford CT 06385

Links:

E-mail Author: ldalene@sbcglobal.net

Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent.  This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.