Kenzy's Osteosarcoma Battle

Mackenzy 'Kenzy' Larson is 16 yrs old. Diagnosed July 14, 2011 with osteosarcoma in her left femur at age of 9. Day before her 10th Birthday,  she underwent limb salvage surgery at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics and endured almost 10 months of treatment of 3 high dose chemotherapy Doxorubicin,  Cisplatin and Methotrexate. Entire treatment was inpatient at Blank Children's Hospital.  Sept 9th, 2013 Kenzy relapsed of Recurrent Metastatic Osteosarcoma  and underwent left anterolateral thoracotomy with resection of mediastinal on Nov 29th, 2013, day after Thanksgiving at Mayo Hospital - St. Mary's Campus. She also underwent 9month of treatment including 2 new high dose chemotherapy Ifosfamide and Etoposide, inpatient at Blank Children's Hospital and 6 weeks of high dose radiation at Mayo Clinics. Sept 9th, 2015 Kenzy relapsed again and underwent 2nd thoracotomy with metastasectomy on two area of left lower lobe.  2017 Kenzy relapsed again near her original site and underwent an above knee amputation at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. Was currently undergoing chemotherapy Gemcitabine and Docetaxel at Blank Children's Hospital before another relapse. July 5, 2018 Kenzy underwent Bilateral thoracotomy with resection of 2 lesions of her right upper 6 lower right lobe and 2 lesions of left upper and 7 left lower lobe at Mayo Hospital - St. Mary's Campus. 3 was viable tumors. Will undergo additional new treatments after recovery. New chemo Doxil (Liposomal Doxorubicin) started July 23rd.  Kenzy received special FDA approval for non-FDA drug called Mifamurtide.  Mifamurtide is an immunotherapy therapy drug approved in over 40 countries, but not in the US. Insurance has denied the claim as an "experimental drug" although it has been around since the 1980's. Out of pocket cost is $95,000 and wasn't able to be started till full fund was provided. Mackenzy had to stop chemo because of the side effects that looked like a burn victim all over her body and began 2 new chemos Oral Irinotecan and Temozolomide that she took daily for 5days every 21day cycle week after Thanksgiving 2018. First dose of Mifamurtide began December 10, 2018. She is the first to receive it in Iowa and less than few dozen in America. February 9, 2019 Mackenzy relapsed for the 5th time enduring her 6th battle. Feb 18th she had her 2nd bilateral but 4th thoracotomy surgery at Mayo in Rochester, MN. We are current staying here for 6weeks so Kenzy is able to get Proton Beam Radiation and possibly begin another chemo treatment. She has already received 3 of the 30 radiation treatment. February 9, 2019 Mackenzy relapsed for the 5th time enduring her 6th battle. Feb 18th she had her 2nd bilateral but 4th thoracotomy surgery at Mayo in Rochester, MN. We are current staying here for 6weeks so Kenzy is able to get Proton Beam Radiation with addition to oral chemo cyclophosphamide for 1-21days daily and oral etoposide 22-43days daily. March 13th, Kenzy was hospitalized due to extreme chest pains. Needed a chest tube put in to drain fluids that filled her chest. She stayed till discharge on the 16th. On March 28th, Kenzy relapsed for the 6th time with additional tumors. One on her lower right chest/lung that is a golfball size in a month and more so the one on her heart and airway that is inoperable. Plan in action to use cryosurgery and radiosurgery to stop these tumors from growing and then additional chemo to hopefully slow down the progression of any additional tumors to give Kenzy as much time as we possibly can.