.

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.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

"You can call me Katie again"

The appearance of new cancer has shocked and devastated us all. Like the spot on her abdomen, it is only visible on the MIBG scan. No abnormalities showed up on the x-rays that Katie had a while suffering from shoulder pain. After the round of scans and tests, Katie had a detailed MRI scan and it was negative. The MIBG is specific for neuroblastoma and more sensitive to the 'lurking' cells. For this reason, we have added a new drug to the concoction. We will alternate 2 rounds of Topotecan/Cyclophosphamide with TVD and then re-scan. Yesterday, Katie started her first round of topo/cyclo.

I will update again properly later in the week - Sophie is screaming for her next feed.

Posted by Nicole on Tuesday, November 28, 2006