Honored Kid

Kelly M.

Age 21
Kelly M. Kid Photo

Location

Willow Springs, IL, US

Diagnosis

Brain or spinal cord tumor

Date of Diagnosis

August 2006

Status

In treatment

Treated At

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital

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My Story

Kelly was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer on March 20, 2007. The word devastation does not even begin to describe the feelings my husband and I had that night in the ER. Kelly was out in the backyard playing baseball with her dad the night she was diagnosed. She was signed up for t-ball to start in the spring. The only symptom she had was that she threw up once before about a week earlier, actually the day of the South Side parade and the other time was the day I took her to the ER, the day of the diagnosis. I sat there that day March 20th, and watched Kelly and her dad play, play as father and daughter should and thought – something is not right; the feeling was so overwhelming. My pediatrician was treating her for gastrointestinal issues, only because after the parade incident, I brought her in to see him, I thought it was unusual for a child to throw up for no known reason, I questioned it. I called my pediatrician on March 20th and told him I was taking Kelly to the ER. My pediatrician said to me, I never argue with a mother, especially a mother with a strong instinct. Prior to that day Kelly was your average healthy child, a few colds here and there, but never anything major. I think you can understand a little bit more when I use the word devastation. I though maybe ulcer. Had we waited a few more weeks, Kelly would not be here with us today. Lesson learned - never question your instincts on your children, you know them the best. In March of 2007 Kelly started a very difficult treatment where she still is today, almost 3 years of chemo.

The Childhood Cancer Ripple Effect

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