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, September 2, 2008 7:45 PM CDT

Our dearest Cameron,
As we visited your grave site tonight, there were so many things that came to mind that we wished we could tell you. Mostly, we want to say how much we love you, miss you, we want to see you and hear your voice, your laugh and feel your sweet hug. So often we include you in our conversations saying "If Cam was here, he would..." or "Cam would like that or wouldn't like that." We hear songs that remind us of you, see your friends and know you should be hanging out with them. I watch the Yankees or Mythbusters and miss you. Derek would love to tell you about his plans. We love to speculate on what you would be doing today if...

You have been with us in our thoughts and in our hearts every day, several times a day in the past two years. We know you are doing GREAT...WAY BEYOND WHAT WE CAN EVEN IMAGINE and we will see you soon!

Although our hearts are heavy, we have a peace and a joy that comes from our Holy Spirit, our Comforter. We are blessed to have that Gift.

All our Love....missing you,

Mom and Dad

Hospital Information:

Our home
40 Twin Lakes Dr.
Waterford CT 06385

Links:

E-mail Author: ldalene@sbcglobal.net

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