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NOVEMBER 2005
NOVEMBER 2005
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On October 21, 2004, Ashlyn was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Stage IIA.
On October 20, 2005, Ashlyn was diagnosed with Vesicourteral Reflux Grade II in her left kidney.
Thank you for stopping by!
Ashlyn was chosen as an Honorary Co-chair for the 2005 Heart and Sole Cancer Walk that was held in July. Ashlyn participated in the rodeo parade and recieved a trophy for her battle. We were very proud to celebrate Ashlyn's victory over cancer. Ashlyn had 33 luminaries purchased in her honor. All money raised at the cancer walk is used to help cancer patients and their families!
Ashlyn with her trophy she received for the
2005 Heart and Sole Cancer Walk
Ashlyn with the 33 luminaries that were
purchased in her honor
Ashlyn Renee was born on Friday, August 29, 2003.
She was born full term and hit all her developemental area's early or right on time.
Ashlyn had a "wheeze" that started the first part of October, 2004. Dr. Heather treated her for a respitory virus and seemed to be doing better. On October 16th, she started running a low fever, but was wheezing very bad. I took her to the ER where it was determined she was flowing air fine and it must be a virus. On the 18th, I called Dr. Heather after hours. She offered to meet me in the ER after they did some x-rays.
From the get-go, Dr. Heather said her x-ray looked funny. She appeared to have pneumonia, but the one side kind of had a "shape" to it. She admitted her to the hospital and began treatment for pneumonia.
After a full day of treatment, Dr. Heather asked if she had choked on anything. She said they were going to re-do the x-ray on Thursday morning, and if there was no change, we would head to Sioux Falls.
Thursday morning showed no change with her x-ray.
So, they said it would be best to go to Sioux Falls. Dr. Heather hugged me and told me good luck. I didn't even think anything of it, until later that night.
We checked into Sioux Valley on October 21st. They did a CT scan. They found a mass that took up 2/3 of her lung (comparable to the size of a large orange.) They then did an MRI. They were sure it was neuroblastoma. A biopsy on 10.29.04 determined she is at stage 2A. A lot of people ask what that means. It just means that they couldn't remove the tumor with surgery, she had to go through chemo. It also means that the cancer didn't spread to her lympnodes.
On April 13th, the first MRI was done on Ashlyn's tumor. The MRI told us that it had shurnk, but it wasn't gone yet. On April 28th, they decided that they may need to remove the tumor.
Surgery on July 1, 2005 was somewhat successful and the remaining tumor was removed off her lung! We were told in August that she was NED, but were disapointed to hear in November that there was still some remaining tumor. We wre glad to hear that it is no longer active and we will need to watch her for the next 10-11 years before she will be concidered CURED.
Neuroblastoma is the third most common type of childhood cancer in the United States, and accounts for 7.3% of all childhood cancers and
50% of cancers in infants.
Approximately 650 new cases of Neuroblastoma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Almost 90% of Neuroblastoma are diagnosed by age 6. Overall, about 50% to 55% of children with Neuroblastoma can be cured, and 69% of children live at least five years after a Neuroblastoma diagnosis.
The Chosen Mothers
by Erma Bombeck
Most women become a mother by accident,
some by choice and a few by habit. Did you ever wonder how mother's of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?Somehow, I visualize God hovering over earth selecting His instruments for progagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.......
"Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew" Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia "Rutledge, Carrie, twins, partron saint Greard."
Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says,
"Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious.
"Why this one, God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter?
That would be cruel."
"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel,
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and resentment
wears off,she will handle it."
I watched her today," said God.
"She has that feeling of self-independence that is so rare and necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world.
She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."But Lord, I don't think she believes in you," said the angel.
"No matter, I can fix that.
This one is perfect.
She has just enough selfishness."
The angel gasps, "Selfishness?
Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is the woman I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied.
She will never take anything her child does for granted.
She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see....ignorance,cruelty, prejudice....
and allow her to rise above them.
"And what about her patron saint" asks the angel,
his pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles and says...
"A mirror will suffice."
TREATMENT PLAN (not in order):
Diagnosis 10.21.04
Biopsy 10.29.04
Blood Transfusion 1.21.05
Bone Marrow Aspiration 10.22.04
Bone Scan 10.22.04
Central Line Placed 11.8.04
Central Line Removed 4.19.05
Chemo Treatments: 11.8.04
11.29.04
12.20.04
1.10.05
CT Scans 10.20.04
ECHO 10.22.04
4.13.05
4.6.06
4.10.07
3.29.11
Hair Loss 11.23.04
ICU/PICU stay: 10.29.04
General Hosptializations: 10.17.04
10.29.04
11.8.04
11.29.04
12.20.04
1.10.05
7.1.05
MRI's 10.20.04
4.13.05
5.20.05
8.2.05
11.13.05
1.20.06
7.10.06
1.8.07
7.9.07
2.17.08
12.15.08
3.16.10
3.29.11
Audiogram 11.8.04
4.13.05
4.10.07
3.29.11
BAER 7.10.06
04.10.07
Sedation: 10.21.04
10.29.04
11.8.04
4.13.05
4.19.05
5.20.05
7.1.05
8.2.05
11.13.05
1.20.06
7.10.06
1.8.07
7.9.07
Surgeries: 10.29.04
11.8.04
4.13.05
7.1.05
Chest Tubes: 10.29.04
7.1.05
X Ray: 10.18.04
10.21.04
Kidney Tests:
10.15.05
9.5.06
Please check back often
Ashlyn Renee Kerr
Friday, August 29, 2003
12:32 PM
6 pounds 10 ounces
18 1/2"
MEET HARMONY BEAR
ADOPTED BY CHRIS
FOR
ASHLYN
February 4 2005
ANGEL JANE
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Journal
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 11:46 AM CDT Hello Everyone!
I was unable to update on Ashlyn's cancer diagnosis anniversary because we were in Minneapolis... we were celebrating her survival with a JUSTIN BEIBER CONCERT!!! I am pretty sure it was the highlight in her life!! (this far anyway)
Ashlyn is growing up so fast... she turned 9 in August and is in 3rd grade.
She continues to do gymnastics. She is a level 5 this year. The skills are harder but she is doing well!
She has also picked up hockey this year! Austin plays and she has been asking to play, so we finally agreed! We'll see how that goes!
I have to figure out the printing process of her website. I see that that page itself isn't working anymore.
It has been 8 years! I can't believe 8 years! The "fall" still is different to me than it was years ago, but the memories of that time are fading.... time marches on.... and she won her battle.
Hope everyone is well.. thoughts and prayers to all those still fighting... hugs to those who have lost...
Becky, Jimmy, Kayla, Austin and Ashlyn
Read Journal History
Links: http://quiltsoflove.com/quilt_2004/ashlyn_RK/ashlyn_RK.html ASHLYN'S QUILT OF LOVE
http://smilequilts.com/ashlyn.html ASHLYN'S SMILE QUILT
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/banebriggs Ashlyn's cousin Bane!
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