Kate's Journey of Love, Faith, & Hope Surviving Childhood Cancer
Claire, Katey, Skyler, and Paige with their trophy from Tremaine
*More new photos added 02/06/2007 in the photo album.
Welcome to our 10 year old daughter's Web Page. We started this site to keep family and friends, both old and new, updated on Katey and her journey from childhood kidney cancer, a stage II FH Wilms tumor.
On Friday Evening Jan 24, 2003, our then 5 1/2yo daughter Kate complained of some belly pain. After a quick check, Mom felt a very hard lump deep inside the right side of Kate's belly. We called our pediatrician immediately, it was 10:30pm. The next morning the doctor saw Kate and ordered an Ultrasound of her belly. Shortly after the test, the doctor called us and told us that we were to go to Children's Hospital immediately for a Cat Scan of Kate's belly, that the Radiology team was already aware and waiting. Then she told us that the Surgical Team was also aware and waiting! That's when we first heard 'those' words: It's Cancer, a Wilm's Tumor, and she needs surgery--NOW!--frightening words that every parent hopes never to hear in reference to their child was about to become part of our new vocabulary...It was Saturday just before noon and we were racing off to Childrens Hospital for a catscan so they could get a better look at what they were planning to remove from our 'healthy' daughter!
Kate had surgery on Jan. 26, 2003 (SuperBowl Sunday) to remove her right kidney and the large tumor that had grown on it. The doctor told us it was a tight fit to remove the tumor which was the size and shape of a butternut squash. A mediport IV was also placed during surgery for giving Actinomycin and Vincristine--The 2 chemotherapy medications she would be receiving over the next 6 months. Our rather busy but ordinary life was changing but we know we are not alone...
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
***JUNE 12, 2007 UPDATE: GREAT NEWS!!! Kate had a Chest xray, kidney functions lab tests, a urinalysis, and an onc checkup. We have received the ALL-CLEAR!!! She is 4 years off treatment and still NED (no evidence of disease)--Thank GOD! Her next check-up won't be for another year. She has been graduated to "The Next Steps Clinic" for long term survivors. The focus will no longer be a search for recurrence since the chances are very slim. They will be following her instead for survivor late side effects with an eye towards health maintenance. We are soooo very BLESSED!!! Please pray for her and all other fighters/survivors to continue past this interruption in their childhoods. They should ALL be able to grow, run, play, dance, and learn as all young children should. Hug your kids and loved ones tight, Never forget to tell them how much you care~
The following is a video of Katey's Dance Solo to "Promise" at the Studio's 2005 Holiday Showcase featuring student choreography!
This is the video of Katey and her friends, the Dancing Trio, to "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" at the 2007 Winter Showcase :>
Katey did most of the Choreography and taught Dani and Lizzie, her most awesome dancin' friends! Not bad for 9yo gals :> We are sooo proud!
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Katey was born May 15, 1997!
Journal
Monday, January 14, 2008 11:55 PM CST
Happy 2008 Everyone!
I thought I'd pop on and give an update. Its been a while--just busy with fun stuff. We've been home just one week since vacation. We sure had great fun over the New Years Holiday :>
We enjoyed Christmas with both sides of the family and then left early the 27th for Florida. 13hours of driving later, we stopped overnite in Georgia. Crazy way to start vacation, we woke in the morning to pitch black from a power outage at our hotel. Thankfully that was only for a couple hours--Yummy Belgian waffles were still ours, just later in the morning :>
After check out, we went to visit Robert's Aunt Marge who we haven't seen in several years. It was a great visit and so wonderful to see her doing so well :> On the way out, we also drove through the Stone Mountain area. It was way too foggy out so we couldn't enjoy the scenery--We'll just have to come back another day!
We drove the last 8 hours to our destination in Orlando. There were crazy times at check in and finally we were in bed after midnight, PHEW!
Saturday morning was mid70s so we spent some time poolside. We also got moved to a new room with a fantastic view :> In the afternoon, we headed to Disney's MGM studios and LOVED it! Favorites were The Holiday Lights, The Tower of Terror, The Indiana Jones Stunt Show, and the Awesome Fantasmic Show at the end of the night. Yes, we're definitely not in 'Sconsin anymore! We did return to our room and welcomed our 'Sconsin family to the start of their vacation :>
Sunday morning, we headed to Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay. It was too crowded there so we headed right back to Orlando and into The Magic Kingdom. It was crowded there too but we sure had a lot of fun anyway. We rode Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain coasters several times each, enjoyed the Spectromagic Parade, the castle holiday shows, and the castle was awesome at night completely covered in color changing holiday lights. We also watched the "Wishes" fireworks and then the full rehearsal to "Countdown to the New Year" fireworks at midnight. The whole park was lit up with fireworks everywhere, another fantastic day!
On Monday, December 31st (New Years Eve) we headed into Epcot. We enjoyed walking through The Living Seas, and The Land before heading into the different countries. It was great being there since we got to celebrate New Years every time a corresponding country went into 2008 :> Even in the drizzley rain it was a party atmosphere--of course we did have our plastic NewYears Tophats on and we had silly horns that were handed out earlier. There was even special entertainment in each country. We were having so much fun that we ended up purchasing a rug in Morrocco (yes it was an impulse buy but a great deal and free shipping! It already looks perfect in our living room!) We also went on a few rides and really enjoyed TestTrack. We met up with my family and enjoyed the early fireworks show on the lagoon and then later the big countdown to midnight with an incredible show and awesome Fireworks--Happy 2008!!!
New Years Day we headed off to Animal Kingdom for a peaceful reprive. The park never got too crowded so we enjoyed the Kali River Rapids (lots), the African Safari ride, the Festival of the Lion King Show, Nemo, the parade, and our favorite the Mt. Everest coaster ride so many many times! We also enjoyed some tasty food at Yak and Yetis :> We stayed til close and then went back to the condo to enjoy some Jacuzzi time :>
Wednesday Jan. 2nd, we went to Busch Gardens and this time it was not crowded at all but it was very cold out--30F with a wind chill to 10s! Needless to say, Dad and the kids enjoyed some bonechillin coaster rides on the Sheikra, Gwazi, Montu, and Kumba. I opted out and watched the Critter Show and had Kate join me to watch the cool Katumba Show. Kate and I also spent some time on the Cheetah Chase coaster. The park closed at 6pm and fortunately, we were back early enough to enjoy a yummy spaghetti dinner courtesy of our 'Sconsin Family in their condo which was just above ours. Dad couldn't join because he had an upset stomache. Louie, Joan, Tetyana, and Yvonne sure cooked up a storm and there were even awesome 'international' desserts to boot--another fantastic day in this new year :>
Thursday, January 3rd started out very early, and very cold, even colder than the day before! We were on the road by 4:30am for an almost 2hr drive to Crystal River Springs. We arrived early for our 6:30 appointment at "Birds Underwater" for our *Swim with the Manatees!* The kids weren't so crazy about the whole thing with the recordbreaking freeze and strong winds--BRRR!!! We put our wetsuits, hoods, and full snorkel gear on anyway. Our captain had a bit of a rough time since our boat was mired in the mud since the tide had gone out and as he said, "this is the worst I've seen in 20 years. There isn't much water to navigate in." Finally freed, he maneuvered through to the springs and boy was it ever a chilly ride. By the sanctuaries, we got our first look at the awesome (and huge manatee in the water.) I snapped off a few pix from the boat--silly me, I forgot to bring an underwater camera so these would have to do. The kids were excited and got in the water pretty quick. What a welcome thing--it felt like bathwater compared to the air! Kate and I swam together, got scared by a large Gar fish, and then all of a sudden a very friendly manatee was swimming next to us!
We spent the next hour enjoying their silly antics, swimming up to us, staring at us, wanting a scratch, 'blowing kisses', and one even hooked my arm with its flipper and gave me a little ride :> It was an incredible experience and I would highly recommend it for everyone--the kids really thought it was the coolest :>
The pontoon got stuck again on the way back and didn't dock until 11:00am. We picked up some souveniers of our swim and the video footage that was taken--we weren't on it very often but it sure is a great keepsake :>
We stopped in for lunch at a local restaurant and had fabulous seafood before heading back to the condo to wash up and rest. Later in the afternoon, we walked around Downtown Disney and then dinner at Olive Garden with my family as a final hurrah.
Jan4, Friday morning we weren't moving too fast and didn't get things packed up to check out until noon. Too fun a vacation but it was time to head back. Also Sam started in with the stomach bug and was 'chucking' before we even left and I had an upset stomach. It made for an interesting drive since Jonathan joined in by evening. Thank goodness for the handy bucket with lid we had. We drove until late and again stayed in Georgia.
Jan5th, we checked out of our hotel with everyone feeling much better. We stopped in Kentucky and toured Mammoth Caves. I was there as a child with my family so it was fun to go there now with my own--it felt just as huge then as it does now, and just as incredible :>
We made it back by 10pm and even had time to pick up our dog Mitzi from my sisters--Thanx Sis for dog sitting!
When we got home, we heard funny noises. Robert went to investigate and found part of our basement flooded--a combination of a frozen water line, and a leaking water heater. Thankfully, we were home to cut off the water before more of the basement could get flooded.
Sunday we went to church and then home again to put our things away and get a little rest. Thankfully we had washed a majority of our clothes before we left Florida so we didn't have to turn the water on.
Monday, the kids were back to school, we were back to work, and our water heater was replaced :> Back to our normal routines and everyone feeling better except for a mild cold for me and Katey.
We are back into a very busy routine with lots more ahead. It is late and I've got work in the morning--not too much time to recuperate from vacation I guess! Praying for you all~
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