Kate's Journey of Love, Faith, & Hope Surviving Childhood Cancer
Katey livin life strong, celebrating 9 yrs post-treatment!!!
Everyday is such a Blessing!!!
Welcome to our daughter's Web Page. We started this site in 2003 to keep family and friends, both old and new, updated on Katey's Journey with a Stage II, FH Wilms Tumor, a childhood kidney cancer.
On Friday Evening Jan 24, 2003, our then 5year old 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...words that were 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)
***JULY 2010 UPDATE: GREAT NEWS!!! Kate had her check-up with Next Steps Clinic for Long Term Survivors. She had a kidney functions lab tests and urinalysis, and a check up with her oncologist. She is now 7years post-chemotherapy with no evident side effects from treatment. We are soooo very BLESSED and continue to celebrate each and every day!!! 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
Friday, January 22, 2016 11:16 AM CST
Well here we are, sooo very long since our last update...Katey's cancer journey started (3days shy of) 13yrs ago, wow is all I can say! To see her and know her today as a young adult is just such a blessing!
She is now 12 yrs post treatment and remains NED and graduated from CHOW long term survivors clinic! She has one more year to enjoy her OneStep Cancer kids camp family that has been there every step since diagnosis to show her what she can do to move beyond her circumstances. It is a sacred family forged through being survivors, a bond that is so very strong...she plans on returning as a counselor...
She has also graduated HS with flying colors, National Honor Society, state competitive Varsity Dance Team, and Sabre guard with the WI state champion Northstars Marching Band! It's been a whirlwind of activity that has launched her into the next phase of her adult life.
She is now 18yo and in her first year in College. She is enjoying life, learning, and living strong in her new '"home away from Home." She has seamlessly met and involved herself into University life being part of her hall, meeting and forming strong new friendships, and continuing her love of dance in her dance company. Oh she is so beautiful and artistic in her moves!
As parents, it's a little hard since Kate moving on meant empty nesting for us but we are incredibly proud and honored with all 3 of our kids in College. We now stand alongside as our boys and Katey make their own decisions as they move forward in their lives. Katey is going to be a wonderful teacher, she has a great knack with kids and simply enjoy wonderful relationships with young minds.
Blessings beyond measure, I would not change a thing about Kate as this is part of who she is, a young lady surviving and living beyond her interruption of cancer in her life...
We still think of each of you we met along her journey, praying always that you feel His strong guiding hands in whichever phase you may be in life, whether you have angels alongside of you whispering to you in the breezes, or launching your own children and releasing them back to our world to do great things...be proud because each of us have a purpose in this journey...
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go..." Joshua 1:9
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