|
Our Survivor Michaela Welcome to Michaela's very own web page! Michaela was born in October of 1996. She is a big sister, she's beautiful, smart as a whip, and quite the talented artist! She was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, stage III on 6/30/00. She completed chemotherapy treatments 4/19/01.
To give a brief history on Michaela, she was a perfectly healthy 3 year old until 6/30/00. She had a persistant stuffy nose that we chalked up to good 'ole Minnesota allergies. When the stuffy nose just seemed to get worse without relief from over the counter meds, we took her in to the doc. The physicians assistant on duty in urgent care noticed a small growth in the back of her throat, just behind her tonsils. We were told she had a sinus infection and she was put on anti biotics. Again, of course, she didn't get any better. She sounded very congested. We brought her back at which time she saw a differant doc, who thought the growth was very strange. He referred us to the local ENT specialist. That doctor thought he was looking at aednoid tissue. His plan was to do an aednoidectomy, but he referred us to a pediatric ENT specialist at the U of MN hospital for a second opinion. When this doctor, Dr Frank Rimell, looked at the mass in her throat, he knew immediatley that it was some type of cancer. She was admitted into the hospital that day and a biopsy that night confirmed that it was cancer. An orange size tumor was removed from behind her nasal passage. What remained was the size of a plum. After a week of tests, we learned the type of cancer, the stage it was in, and her prognosis, which is 70%. Michaela has completed 6 weeks of proton beam radiation therapy and 42 weeks of chemotherapy. The "plum" which was left behind has been reduced in size by approx 95%. It is now just a tiny mass of dead tissue. If we can help a family going through this treatment in any way please feel free to email us at the address below.
Journal
Friday, January 19, 2007 10:34 AM CST Wow, it has been some time since we have posted a new message. Life has been exciting as we welcomed a new baby into the family. A little boy we named Luke on Oct 11th, 2006. Michaela is a wonderful big sister. She turned 10 years old on the 21st of October (Oh my double digits!!) -- and is quite the mother hen, a great helper for me!
She is doing great, taking her daily nutropin injections and growing like a weed. Katie is doing great also, she isn't quite as excited about her new brother as Michaela, but I think those growing pains will work themselves out ;). Michaela is now a 4th grader and Katie is a 2nd grader. Where does the time go?? Wishing everyone the best, and if you have happened upon our site because your child or family member is fighting Rhabdo -- don't hesitate to contact us.
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Fairview University Medical Center
2450 Riverside Campus
Minneapolis, MN 55454
612-672-6000
Links: http://quiltsoflove.com/quilt/michaelaK/michaelaK.html Michaela's quilt made by Quilts of Love
http://www.makeawish.org What a great organization for our kids.
http://www.customplayhouses.com Michaelas Make A Wish wish.
|
|
