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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.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

School days (Monday 6th)

How many 4 year olds do you know that can handle 48 hours of chemo and still be well enough to attend school the next day?

Katelyn went to school today from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and she had an awesome time. She cried a little bit when I dropped her off but by the time 4 o'clock rolled around, she didn't want to leave. Daddy had to prise her little arms away from Teacher Toni's neck! After a flying visit to Starbucks for a 'chino, Katelyn fell asleep in her carseat and has been sleepy all night. She hardly touched her meal - only ate 1 fish finger and NO peas - that was very surprising because we all know how much Katelyn loves her vegetables!!!! Right on cue, Katelyn perked up as soon as she heard the words "BEDTIME" and chattered away to me about her day at nursery for a good 20 minutes before she fell asleep WITHOUT her dummy. That's the first night ever! Poor kid wore herself out. Psst don't tell Daddy...he thinks I worked my parenting magic and got her off to sleep without the dummy....when really I should take credit as miss Katelyn did it all by herself. It was fantastic for Katelyn to have a 'normal' day =)

Posted by Nicole on Wednesday, November 08, 2006