.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Welcome to Katelyn Benson's website! This has been created to keep family and friends up to date with the latest news regarding our brave daughter.

At the age of three, Katelyn was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Stage 4, a rare childhood cancer for which there is no cure. She was diagnosed on Monday 16th May 2005 and since then has undergone 8 rounds of chemotherapy, a 5 hour tumour resection surgery, further high-dose chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant, radiotherapy and 6 rounds of Accutane (Retinoic Acid). In September 2006, we discovered that Katie had relapsed and so the battle begins again.

Despite the devastating prognosis, we have great faith that our precious daughter will be granted her miracle cure. Thank you for joining us on our rollercoaster journey. Words cannot express the uplifting joy we feel to know we have such a wonderful "team" standing behind us every step of the way. We thank each and every one of you for the endless love, support and prayers.

We are praying for a miracle!!

Children with cancer are like candles in the wind who accept the possibility that they are in danger of being extinguished by a gust of wind from nowhere; and yet, as they flicker and dance to remain alive, their brilliance challenges the darkness and dazzle those of us who watch their light.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Oh baby, our "big" girl

Sophie is a beautifully behaved baby and we are overjoyed to have her here safe and sound. It's taking me some time to recover as I had an emergency c-section but I am fortunate enough to have a lot of support from family and friends. Katie and Josh are 2 extra pairs of hands who love to help. Katie adores being the big sister (finally!), and is always checking on her while she sleeps. It's adorable. Both children have adjusted very well and there isn't an ounce of jealousy.

Today was a monumental day in all of our lives as Katie has swallowed her last accutane pill! The thought of being off treatment is both exciting and terrifying. It hasn't really hit us yet, we are just waiting for the scans to be over in order for us to breathe a little easier. The hospital have arranged it (as much as they can) so that Katie won't miss too much school. Yes, that's right . . . .

Katelyn Benson is starting "big" school!!

I think I am going to cry more than she will. Katie can't wait! She wants to show off "her baby" to the other children in her class. I missed the parent coffee evening but Jason said if the children are anything like their parents, then Katie will make lots of friends. Very encouraging! Just by looking at her, it's impossible to tell that her little body has been through so much. As you can see from the photo, her hair is growing back. She looks like a normal little girl with a short hair cut. Her scars will fade and we will move onwards with our lives but never forgetting the lessons we have learned over the past almost year and a half. Cancer has not defeated this child, it has not and will not hold her back.

Thank you for checking up on Katie's progress. Please keep her, and the other brave warriors, in your prayers.

Posted by Nicole on Monday, September 04, 2006