The week of Halloween, we had another blow. Our niece, Kynlee, was diagnosed with type ALL leukemia. She will be three years old in December. What makes it even harder for the family is the fact that J had an aunt who died in her teenage years of the same type of leukemia. J's mom is having to watch her granddaughter go through the same thing her sister did. Thankfully, there is now an 85-95% success rate with treatment. Unfortunately, the treatment is for three and a half years.
It will be a long road for Kynlee. She has one more week left on the steroid treatments, which have caused her to gain over ten pounds and are associated with a "rage." The last three weeks have been an adjustment for all, especially since they live down in central Utah and have had to go up to Primary Children's several times a week for chemo. She has been coping well with the treatments thus far.
Zuri has been very concerned for her cousin. She will randomly get sad and say she is worried about Kynlee. When she has seen Kynlee, Zuri was very sweet and will try to help Kynlee any way she can. I am used to seeing the nurturing side of Zuri with Kai, but it was doubly sweet to see that side come out with Kynlee.
This was taken while she was resting right before she had a central line put in, a lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspirate and her first treatment of chemo.
This was taken earlier this week.
Maria has talked about starting a blog. If she does, I will post the link for those who would like to keep up with Kynlee.
As for us, the news has been hard. We empathize with what his sister's family is going through. To have a healthy child turn ill so suddenly would be devastating. No matter what the situation, there is a period of mourning for the child. The prognosis is encouraging, but the next three years will be rough.
I wish there was more we could do to help.
Kai's OT has been battling cancer for years now. It finally took her down a couple months ago. This week she was allowed to come back to work. When talking about everything that has happened, she kept saying, "but God is good." ... "God is great." This woman who has been through so much has such an enthusiasm and appreciation for God and life. She is an inspiration to me, especially since she has had a hard year. She spent most of her summer flying back and forth to China as her mother's health worsened and she passed away. Then her brother also became seriously ill, and she has had to help care for him on a ventilator. To then battle her own illness and still come out with such a positive attitude...my admiration for her just keeps increasing.
I have found through my own trials that there are two ways to look at what is happening. It can be easy to fall into the "why me?" category, and wallow in self-pity and all that has happened. What does that accomplish, though? A better way is to see all that we have--all the blessings that have been given along the way.
With Kai, it was hard at first to see all the healthy, "typical" babies hitting their milestones and know that will never be him. I have developed a different perspective now. I celebrate all his accomplishments--from rolling to his side, to playing with his ballard, even to laughing over his trach so that we can hear his giggle. He has an amazing spirit, and is such a happy child. I have met so many wonderful and inspirational people through Kai. This experience has not been easy, but I can tell you, it has been worth it.
I hope that Maria and Nolan are also able to find the blessings and the joy that can come from this very difficult experience with Kynlee. It is something that no one, let alone a child, should have to go through. However, reality is what it is. I hope they know how loved they are, and that they are not alone.
There is a reason that the phrase is "battling cancer." It is a fight to get through, and our little Kynlee is a fighter. It is a battle to be fought...and a battle to be won. She won't be by herself; we will all be there with her.
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