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Brooke Ann Clemons 
March 23, 1999 - April 6, 2006
Brooke was diagnosed with Wilms tumor in her right kidney, liver and both lungs (Stage IV) on January 13, 2004. Her histology was originally identified at favorable, but her first CT scan showed no improvement. Based on lack of response, she began a much more aggressive chemotherapy regimen as Stage IV, diffuse anaplasia on March 9, 2004. After six rounds of the more aggressive chemotherapy, surgery and abdominal radiation, Brooke's CT scan showed no evidence of disease. To prevent relapse, Brooke began an autologous stem cell transplant on August 31, 2004. Her eight lung radiation treatments were completed on November 18, 2004. On June 17th a suspicious spot on her right lung was surgically removed and confirmed to be Wilm's Tumor. On April 4, 2006 a lesion was removed from her left lung that was also confirmed to be Wilms tumor. Complications (influenza B and strep pneumonia) following surgery led to her death on April 6, 2006.
***NEW PICTURES POSTED MARCH 19th***
Journal
Sunday, March 23, 2008 1:22 AM CDT Everyone who has lost a loved one will tell you that the holidays are tough…you are faced with so many emotions…the joy of the season and the heartache of your loss. For our family today, we add to the Easter celebration the fact that today would have also been Brooke’s 9th birthday and it becomes tougher still.
At times our lives seem to move on in a way that seems very routine…basketball, birthday parties, softball, baseball, soccer and homework…but then out of the blue something unexpected will happen and our sorrow over losing Brooke will literally take our breath away. There is no way to prepare for the “moments” that happen…to each of us in different ways and at different times…they come…and they go… and we realize that our lives will never be the same. But we have made a choice to not let Brooke’s death define our lives, but to let Brooke’s life define us. She was a wonderful example of determination, happiness, strength and love all wrapped up in a beautiful little 7 year-old package!
We have had so many caring people ask us how we are doing and how do we do it? Does it get better? We do it for our three children on earth that give us the reason to get out of bed each morning and we realize how fortunate we are to have our health and each other. Our loss has made us appreciate even more the JOY that they bring to our life every day and we have promised ourselves that we will NEVER take those joyful times for granted again. On the other hand, the pain of losing Brooke still travels with us. The nearly two years since her death have proven that the pain will not go away, it has just become a part of who we are and we must learn to live with that pain. We are the family whose daughter/sister died…we are Brooke’s parents/siblings.
For our family there is no doubt that the meaning of Easter is even more special now than ever. We are so very THANKFUL for the gift of Jesus so that we can live with the hope of seeing Brooke again. We can’t imagine our sorrow, if we did not have that hope! And although we continue to miss Brooke with our every breath, we remain thankful that she was our daughter and sister and that she is healthy and happy in Heaven.
We will ALWAYS be THANKFUL for the gift of Brooke Ann Clemons!
Love,
Bryan and Stephanie
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Patient Room: HEAVEN The Clemons Family
6403 Keith Springs Circle
Louisville, KY 40207
Links: http://www.acor.org/ped-onc/hp/wilmspages.html Kids with Wilms tumor
http://www.patientcenters.com/childcancer/news/wilms_tumor.html Wilms information
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