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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.

Monday, January 15, 2007

A whole month...

My resolution is to update twice a month. I'm getting so bad at this, please accept my sincerest apologies!

Katie had another round of TVD chemo which started a few days after Christmas. She was in-patient for the entire week due to some kidney issues. Fluids were flushed through after the topotecan infusions. Further cause for concern was a urinary tract infection which recently appeared. It was a little surprising as the fluid flushes were to re-hydrate Katie's body and she's had urine infections usually after a period of dehydration. Next month she'll be having a kidney function test. We are growing increasingly concerned that her kidney is being damaged from the chemo and we just cannot afford for this to happen.

On a happier note, despite being in hospital over new yrs eve, Katie felt good enough to pop some party poppers and have some champagne (lemonade really...incase you're thinking I am encouraging underage drinking!!!) Christmas was so long ago already. What to say? Kids spoiled rotten...lots of food...lots of toys...lots of wrapping paper....lots of mess!!

Can't believe it's 2007 already, time flies..............

Posted by Nicole on Monday, January 15, 2007