Karen’s Story

Site created on February 23, 2020

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Journal entry by Evon Herrera

Where to begin. Karen began complaining of headaches in January.  The weekend before February 11th she didn’t get out of bed.  On the 10th she stayed home from school. That day I made an appointment for her with a pediatrician the next day. 

When we saw the Ped she sent us for labs. I figured it was just migraines. I had them all the time.   The next day she called with the labs. Kks iron was low. They were putting her on iron and we needed to watch it so come back in 2 weeks for labs. 


Monday, February 18. I decided the iron wasn’t working.  Her skin was completely pale and her fingertips were ice cold.  We drove the 3 and a half hours to Phoenix Children’s. They looked at her and sent her right into a room. After doing labs they say we are admitting her.  I remember them saying good news doesn’t look like leukemia.  Yeah in hindsight just because it isn’t that CANCER doesn’t mean it ain’t cancer.  


We talk to several Drs. They all wanted to blame periods. As a mom you know it isn’t that.  You just know. So when the Hematologist came in and said they may be sending us home the next day I was like this isn’t giving us answers.  

Well God had our back. The most wonderful doctor, Dr. Williams, showed up to tell us she don’t believe it was periods and she would take a look for a gi bleed. 

So on Thursday, February 20,  Kk had an endoscopy and colonoscopy.  When Dr. Williams came out she took us in a consult room. Looking back I should have suspected something.  We go in the room and she says the colonoscopy was clear. I was like thank God. Then she said she found something in the endoscopy.  I was so happy. I was glad she had done the test and we had a reason for the bleed. Then she showed us the pictures. Immediately I saw it.  They say if you see black it is CANCER. I was so upset. Of course she can’t say it irks cancer. She has to send slides. They knew I was gonna worry until I had an answer so they said they would try to have an answer that night.  Sure enough the doctors came in that night and announced she officially had cancer.  Not sure what type but we would be sent to cancer floor and hopefully have a type the next day. 

Friday, February 21 Dday.  This is the day they gave us the official diagnosis.  Ewing Sarcoma.  A very rare cancer mostly of the bone but can affect the soft tissue. We also had a pet scan done this day and a CT.   They only found a couple spots on her lungs but since they can’t get to them easily they are hoping chemo will take care of it. This day was the day that was gonna change our life forever. 

Saturday, February 22 Kk was taken down to put in her port and had two biopsies, one on each hip. She also started her chemo. She did amazingly well with the 3 she received. 

Today:  Kk is receiving her next dose. Still waiting on bone marrow results.  Should have them tomorrow.  If all goes well we will be off to Ronald McDonald house tomorrow sometime. 

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